Comparative pan-genomic analysis reveals pathogenic mechanisms and genomic plasticity in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

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Updated: May 10, 2025

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
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Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

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Peng Zhang1, Xiaofang Wu1, Lei Ji1

  • 1Microbiology Laboratory, Huzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|April 25, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reveals that clinical Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains possess unique virulence genes not found in environmental strains. Understanding these genetic differences is key to preventing infections caused by this human pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Pathogen analysis

Background:

  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant human pathogen causing bacterial gastroenteritis.
  • Pathogenicity is often linked to hemolysin and type III secretion system (T3SS) genes.
  • Environmental V. parahaemolyticus isolates are increasingly acquiring virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the infection characteristics of V. parahaemolyticus.
  • To identify genes with differential distribution between environmental and clinical isolates using pan-genomic analysis.
  • To elucidate the role of these genes in V. parahaemolyticus virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological analysis of clinical isolates.
  • Pan-genomic analysis using OrthoFinder.
  • Gene function analysis via PEPPAN and KEGG pathway mapping.
  • Analysis of mobile genetic elements.

Main Results:

  • Clinical V. parahaemolyticus infections peak in warmer seasons; O4:KUT serotype correlates with severe symptoms.
  • Environmental isolates showed a higher number of core genes.
  • Ten genes exclusively in clinical isolates were linked to virulence.
  • Genes in environmental isolates exhibited greater functional diversity.
  • Environmental isolates contained more mobile genetic elements, suggesting higher potential for resistance genes.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic diversity and mobile genetic elements significantly influence V. parahaemolyticus pathogenicity.
  • Identifying specific virulence genes in clinical strains aids understanding of pathogenic mechanisms.
  • Findings support the development of targeted strategies for infection prevention.
Keywords:
Vibrio parahaemolyticusgenomic plasticitymobile genetic elementpan-genomepathogenic characteristic

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