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Genomic basis of a polyagglutinating isolate of Neisseria meningitidis

Lavanya Rishishwar1, Lee S Katz, Nitya V Sharma

  • 1School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Journal of Bacteriology
|August 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Genomic analysis revealed a Neisseria meningitidis isolate with a serogroup C background but a serogroup B capsule gene. This capsule-switching event may represent a vaccine escape mutant with public health implications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis outbreaks are managed using serogroup assays targeting the polysaccharide capsule.
  • Conflicting serogroup assay results for invasive meningococcal disease isolates necessitate genomic investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the genomic basis for discordant serogroup assay results in a Neisseria meningitidis isolate (M16917).
  • To investigate the potential public health implications of capsule-switching events in Neisseria meningitidis.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of the M16917 isolate.
  • Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Identification of recombination breakpoints and sequence cassette integration.

Main Results:

  • The M16917 isolate belongs to the ST-11 sequence group, typically associated with serogroup C.
  • The capsule polymerase gene (synD) of M16917 was identified as belonging to serogroup B.
  • Homologous recombination resulted in the insertion of a serogroup B capsule gene cassette into a serogroup C genomic background.

Conclusions:

  • A capsule-switching event, involving homologous recombination, occurred in the M16917 Neisseria meningitidis isolate.
  • This event resulted in a strain with a serogroup B capsule in a serogroup C background.
  • The identified capsule-switching mechanism may lead to vaccine escape mutants, posing a public health concern due to the lack of a serogroup B vaccine.

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