Interclonal gradient of virulence in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa pangenome from disease and environment. (29th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hilker, Rolf; Munder, Antje; Klockgether, Jens; Losada, Patricia Moran; Chouvarine, Philippe; Cramer, Nina; Davenport, Colin F.; Dethlefsen, Sarah; Fischer, Sebastian; Peng, Huiming; Schönfelder, Torben; Türk, Oliver; Wiehlmann, Lutz; Wölbeling, Florian; Gulbins, Erich; Goesmann, Alexander; Tümmler, Burkhard
• Is Part Of: Environmental microbiology. Volume 17:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2014-09-29
• Subjects: Microbial ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.17
• DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-2912

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The population genomics of <italic>P</italic><italic>seudomonas aeruginosa</italic> was analysed by genome sequencing of representative strains of the 15 most frequent clonal complexes in the <italic>P</italic><italic>. aeruginosa</italic> population and of the five most common clones from the environment of which so far no isolate from a human infection has been detected. Gene annotation identified 5892–7187 open reading frame (ORFs; median 6381 ORFs) in the 20 6.4–7.4 Mbp large genomes. The <italic>P</italic><italic>. aeruginosa</italic> pangenome consists of a conserved core of at least 4000 genes, a combinatorial accessory genome of a further 10 000 genes and 30 000 or more rare genes that are present in only a few strains or clonal complexes. Whole genome comparisons of single nucleotide polymorphism synteny indicated unrestricted gene flow between clonal complexes by recombination. Using standardized acute lettuce, <italic>G</italic><italic>alleria mellonella</italic> and murine airway infection models the full spectrum of possible host responses to <italic>P</italic><italic>. aeruginosa</italic> was observed with the 20 strains ranging from unimpaired health following infection to 100% lethality. Genome comparisons indicate that the differential genetic repertoire of clones maintains a habitat‐independent gradient of virulence in the <italic>P</italic><italic>. aeruginosa</italic> population.</p> </abstract>