Comparative Genomic Analysis of Shrimp-Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus LC and Intraspecific Strains with Emphasis on Virulent Factors of Mobile Genetic Elements

Abstract

Vibrio parahaemolyticus exhibits severe pathogenicity in humans and animals worldwide. In this study, genome sequencing and comparative analyses were conducted for in-depth characterization of the virulence factor (VF) repertoire of V. parahaemolyticus strain LC, which presented significant virulence to shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Strain LC, harboring two circular chromosomes and three linear plasmids, demonstrated ≥98.14% average nucleotide identities with 31 publicly available V. parahaemolyticus genomes, including 13, 11, and 7 shrimp-, human-, and non-pathogenic strains, respectively. Phylogeny analysis based on dispensable genes of pan-genome clustered 11 out of 14 shrimp-pathogenic strains and 7 out of 11 clinical strains into two distinct clades, indicating the close association between host-specific pathogenicity and accessory genes. The VFDB database revealed that 150 VFs of LC were mainly associated with the secretion system, adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis, motility, and iron uptake, whereas no homologs of the typical pathogenic genes pirA, pirB, tdh, and trh were detected. Four genes, mshB, wbfT, wbfU, and wbtI, were identified in both types of pathogenic strains but were absent in non-pathogens. Notably, a unique cluster similar to Yen-Tc, which encodes an insecticidal toxin complex, and diverse toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems, were identified on the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of LC. Conclusively, in addition to the common VFs, various unique MGE-borne VFs, including the Yen-Tc cluster, TA components, and multiple chromosome-encoded chitinase genes, may contribute to the full spectrum of LC virulence. Moreover, V. parahaemolyticus demonstrates host-specific virulence, which potentially drives the origin and spread of pathogenic factors.

Insights into Chitin-Degradation Potential of Shewanella khirikhana JW44 with Emphasis on Characterization and Function of a Chitinase Gene SkChi65

“…The colloidal chitin used in this study was prepared from chitin powder (Shanghai Yuanye Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China) according to the method described by Lee et al [30]. Routine cultivation and preservation, genome sequencing, gene prediction, and functional annotation of JW44 were performed as previously described by Xue et al [31]. The complete genome sequence of JW44 has been deposited in the NCBI database with accession numbers CP143082 for one chromosome and CP143083 for one plasmid.…”

Vibrio cholerae Bacteremia: An Enigma in Cholera-Endemic African Countries

“…Knowing that V. parahaemolyticus also causes bacteremia just like NOVC, suggests parallel mechanisms in their pathogenesis. Acid neutralization, antiphagocytosis, iron acquisition, cytotoxicity, attachment, adhesion, flagella, and motility are some essential virulence features shared between these two pathogens [112,113]. Notably, a significant number of NOVC isolates are characterized by the presence of capsules, which may be critical for virulence in bacteremia infections [104,114].…”