Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis Strains

Abstract

The pathogenesis mechanisms of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the etiologic agent of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis remain elusive. This study evaluated the virulence potential and biovar characteristics of Cfv isolates (n = 13) by PCR screening of putative virulence-factor (VF) genes, Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis, antimicrobial susceptibility to tetracycline, penicillin, enrofloxacin and streptomycin testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS; n = 5), also comparing the latter with 26 other whole-genome sequences of Cfv strains. The putative VF genes encoding type IV secretion system of Cfv (virB2-virB11/virD4) were absent in 92% of isolates, including isolates from aborted foetuses, evidencing that these VF genes are not essential for Cfv pathogenicity. The parA gene, used as a Cfv diagnostic molecular target, was detected in only 3 of 13 isolates, invalidating its use for diagnosis purposes. Three novel sequence types were identified by MLST. Although no in vitro antimicrobial resistance was detected, WGS identified antimicrobial resistance-related genes, including those encoding the multidrug efflux pumps CmeABC and YkkCD, indicating that their presence is not enough to provide antimicrobial resistance. The SNP and accessory protein families analysis segregated the Cfv and Cfv biovar intermedius (Cfvi) strains into different clusters. In conclusion, this study evidenced virulence potential and biovar characteristics of Cfv and Cfvi, which are of relevance for the control of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis.

Dysgonomonas mossii Strain Shenzhen WH 0221, a New Member of the Genus Dysgonomonas Isolated from the Blood of a Patient with Diabetic Nephropathy, Exhibits Multiple Antibiotic Resistance

“…Five antibiotic resistance ontologies (AROs) likely underlie the multidrug resistance of Shenzhen WH 0221 ( Table 6 ). Efflux pump proteins and related genes are kdpE ( 20 ), ykkD ( 21 ), and cmeB ( 22 ), potentially explaining resistance to aminoglycoside, phenicol, cephalosporin, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. TLA-3 is a β-lactamase ( 23 ).…”

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Campylobacter fetus isolates from bulls subjected to bovine genital campylobacteriosis diagnosis in Spain

“…That study also reported differences in pregnancy rates in infected cows, being higher in Cfvi than in Cfv . Although genomic differences between Cfv and Cfvi have been identified [ 29 ], further studies are needed to determine which pathogenicity genes could be directly related to these differences in pregnancy rates.…”

Whole genome characterization of thermophilic Campylobacter species isolated from dairy manure in small specialty crop farms of Northeast Ohio

“…The presence of these genes was previously reported to be rare in C. jejuni and C. fetus subsp. venerealis isolates worldwide ( Bacon et al, 2000 ; Panzenhagen et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2021 ). A mutation in virB11 was also shown to reduce C. jejuni 81–176 adhesion and invasion by 6- and 11-fold, respectively compared to wild-type ( Bacon et al, 2000 ).…”