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Comparative genomic analysis using microarray demonstrates a strong correlation between the presence of the

Kaori Izutsu1, Ken Kurokawa, Kosuke Tashiro

  • 1Laboratory of Genomic Research on Pathogenic Bacteria, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.

Infection and Immunity
|January 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The acquisition of a specific pathogenicity island (Vp-PAI) containing key virulence genes was crucial for the emergence of pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains causing human gastroenteritis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium causing human gastroenteritis.
  • The Kanagawa phenomenon (KP), indicated by beta-hemolysis, is a marker for pathogenic strains, linked to thermostable direct hemolysin.
  • Pandemic clones, notably O3:K6, have caused global outbreaks since 1996.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genomic differences between pandemic, nonpandemic pathogenic, and nonpathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains.
  • To identify genetic factors contributing to the emergence of pathogenic pandemic strains.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a DNA microarray based on the RIMD2210633 pandemic strain genome.
  • Analyzed the genomic composition of 22 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains (pathogenic and nonpathogenic).

Main Results:

  • Over 86% of genes were conserved across all tested strains.
  • Variably present genes, likely acquired via lateral gene transfer, formed gene clusters.
  • Pandemic strains possessed at least 65 unique genes across 11 loci compared to nonpandemic strains.
  • The 80-kb Vibrio parahaemolyticus pathogenicity island (Vp-PAI), including tdh genes and type III secretion system genes, was exclusively found in KP-positive pathogenic strains.

Conclusions:

  • The genomic differences between pandemic and nonpandemic strains are complex, not attributable to a single genetic event.
  • The acquisition of the Vp-PAI is strongly implicated as a critical factor in the evolution of human-pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains.

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