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Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
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Published on: December 23, 2022

Genomic Characterization and Pathogenicity Island Analysis of 17 Mexican Isolates of Corynebacterium

Mabel Gethsemani Jaimes-Gonzalez1, Roberto Montes-de-Oca-Jimenez1,2, Martha Elba Ruiz-Riva-Palacio2

  • 1Research and Advanced Studies in Animal Health Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Autonomy University of the State of Mexico, Km 15.5 Toluca Pan-American Highway Atlacomulco, Toluca C.P. 50200, State of Mexico, Mexico.

Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|June 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study identified 14 pathogenicity islands (PAIs) and 51 virulence genes in Mexican *Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis* strains, revealing insights into caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) pathogenesis. These findings offer potential targets for new CLA vaccines and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are key genomic regions encoding bacterial virulence factors.
  • Understanding these factors is vital for deciphering pathogen evolution and disease mechanisms.
  • *Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis* causes caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in livestock, prevalent in Mexico, yet its genome lacks comprehensive PAI analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the complete genomes of Mexican *C. pseudotuberculosis* strains.
  • To identify virulence-associated genes located within PAIs.
  • To investigate genomic plasticity and evolutionary adaptations in these pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of 17 Mexican *C. pseudotuberculosis* biovar *ovis* strains.
  • De novo genome assembly using SPAdes and annotation with Prokka.
  • PAI prediction using GIPSy, analyzing genomic signatures of horizontal gene transfer.
  • Positive selection analysis using POTION v1.2 to detect adaptive evolution.

Main Results:

  • Identification of 14 putative pathogenicity islands (PAIs) in Mexican *C. pseudotuberculosis*.
  • Discovery of 51 virulence-associated genes harbored within these PAIs.
  • Detection of five coding sequences, including *radA* and *rpiB*, under positive selection, indicating adaptive evolution.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive PAI analysis of Mexican *C. pseudotuberculosis*.
  • The identified PAIs and virulence genes offer insights into CLA pathogenesis and bacterial evolution.
  • Novel genetic targets for developing vaccines and therapeutics against CLA have been highlighted.
Keywords:
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosiscaseous lymphadenitispathogenicity islandsvirulence factors

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