Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates
<i>Campylobacter</i> is one of the leading bacterial causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. It frequently contaminates poultry and other raw meat products, which are the primary sources of <i>Campylobacter</i> infections in humans. Plasmids, known as important mobile genetic el...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Yiping He Gretchen Elizabeth Dykes Siddhartha Kanrar Yanhong Liu Nereus W. Gunther Katrina L. Counihan Joe Lee Joseph A. Capobianco |
| author_facet | Yiping He Gretchen Elizabeth Dykes Siddhartha Kanrar Yanhong Liu Nereus W. Gunther Katrina L. Counihan Joe Lee Joseph A. Capobianco |
| author_sort | Yiping He |
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| description | <i>Campylobacter</i> is one of the leading bacterial causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. It frequently contaminates poultry and other raw meat products, which are the primary sources of <i>Campylobacter</i> infections in humans. Plasmids, known as important mobile genetic elements, often carry genes for antibiotic resistance, virulence, and self-mobilization. They serve as the main vectors for transferring genetic material and spreading resistance and virulence among bacteria. In this study, we identified 34 new plasmids from 43 <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> strains isolated from retail meat using long-read and short-read genome sequencing. Pangenomic analysis of the plasmid assemblies and reference plasmids from GenBank revealed five distinct groups, namely, pTet, pVir, mega plasmids (>80 kb), mid plasmids (~30 kb), and small plasmids (<6 kb). Pangenomic analysis identified the core and accessory genes in each group, indicating a high degree of genetic similarity within groups and substantial diversity between the groups. The pTet plasmids were linked to tetracycline resistance phenotypes in host strains. The mega plasmids carry multiple genes (e.g., <i>aph</i>(3’)-III, type IV and VI secretion systems, and type II toxin–antitoxin systems) important for plasmid mobilization, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and the persistence of <i>Campylobacter</i>. Together, the identification and comprehensive genetic characterization of new plasmids from <i>Campylobacter</i> food isolates contributes to understanding the mechanisms of gene transfer, particularly the spread of genetic determinants of virulence and antibiotic resistance in this important pathogen. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-8b064583af55417ea2af02664e72984a2025-01-24T13:43:04ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113120610.3390/microorganisms13010206Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food IsolatesYiping He0Gretchen Elizabeth Dykes1Siddhartha Kanrar2Yanhong Liu3Nereus W. Gunther4Katrina L. Counihan5Joe Lee6Joseph A. Capobianco7Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USAForeign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USACharacterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA<i>Campylobacter</i> is one of the leading bacterial causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. It frequently contaminates poultry and other raw meat products, which are the primary sources of <i>Campylobacter</i> infections in humans. Plasmids, known as important mobile genetic elements, often carry genes for antibiotic resistance, virulence, and self-mobilization. They serve as the main vectors for transferring genetic material and spreading resistance and virulence among bacteria. In this study, we identified 34 new plasmids from 43 <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> strains isolated from retail meat using long-read and short-read genome sequencing. Pangenomic analysis of the plasmid assemblies and reference plasmids from GenBank revealed five distinct groups, namely, pTet, pVir, mega plasmids (>80 kb), mid plasmids (~30 kb), and small plasmids (<6 kb). Pangenomic analysis identified the core and accessory genes in each group, indicating a high degree of genetic similarity within groups and substantial diversity between the groups. The pTet plasmids were linked to tetracycline resistance phenotypes in host strains. The mega plasmids carry multiple genes (e.g., <i>aph</i>(3’)-III, type IV and VI secretion systems, and type II toxin–antitoxin systems) important for plasmid mobilization, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and the persistence of <i>Campylobacter</i>. Together, the identification and comprehensive genetic characterization of new plasmids from <i>Campylobacter</i> food isolates contributes to understanding the mechanisms of gene transfer, particularly the spread of genetic determinants of virulence and antibiotic resistance in this important pathogen.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/206<i>Campylobacter</i>plasmidgenome sequencingmobile genetic elementhorizontal gene transferantibiotic resistance |
| spellingShingle | Yiping He Gretchen Elizabeth Dykes Siddhartha Kanrar Yanhong Liu Nereus W. Gunther Katrina L. Counihan Joe Lee Joseph A. Capobianco Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates Microorganisms <i>Campylobacter</i> plasmid genome sequencing mobile genetic element horizontal gene transfer antibiotic resistance |
| title | Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates |
| title_full | Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates |
| title_short | Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Campylobacter</i> Plasmids Identified in Food Isolates |
| title_sort | comparative genomic analysis of i campylobacter i plasmids identified in food isolates |
| topic | <i>Campylobacter</i> plasmid genome sequencing mobile genetic element horizontal gene transfer antibiotic resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/206 |
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