Genomic and metabolic characterization ofTrueperella pyogenesisolated from domestic and wild animals

Abstract

AbstractTrueperella pyogenesis an important bacterial pathogen implicated in infections such as mastitis, metritis, pneumonia, and liver abscesses in both domestic and wild animals as well as endocarditis and prosthetic joint infections in humans. Understanding the genomic and metabolic features that enableT. pyogenesto colonize different anatomical sites within a host and its inter-kingdom transmission and survival is important for the effective control of this pathogen. We employed whole genome sequencing, phenotype microarrays, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to identify genomic, metabolic and phenotypic features as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes inT. pyogenesrecovered from different livestock, companion and wildlife animals. For comparative genomic analysis, 83T. pyogenesgenomes, including 60 isolated in the current study and 23 publicly available genomes were evaluated. These genomes representedT. pyogenesstrains originated from 16 different body sites of 11 different animal hosts (e.g. bovine, swine, ovine, cervid, bison, equine, chamois, feline). Additionally, 49T. pyogenesisolates (bovine, ovine, deer, swine and feline) were evaluated for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance using disk diffusion, and for metabolic profiling using the Biology GENIII MicroPlates. We identified thatT. pyogenesstrains are not host- or body site-specific. The presence of conserved virulence genes (ploandfimA), as well as genotypic and phenotypic AMR may contribute toT. pyogenes’sability to cause infections in livestock, wildlife, and pets. Most of the tested isolates metabolized diverse carbon sources and chemical compounds, suggesting that this metabolic versatility may contribute toT. pyogenes’ survival, competitive advantage, and pathogenic potential.ImportanceTrueperella pyogenesis an important animal pathogen with zoonotic potential, posing a significant health concern to both animals and humans due to its ability to cause infections across different animal host species and tissues. Current understanding of this pathogen’s adaptability and survival mechanisms is limited. Here, we evaluated the genomic, virulence, metabolic, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics ofT. pyogenesrecovered from 16 different body sites of 11 different animal hosts (livestock, companion, and wild animals). We identified multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes that may enableT. pyogenesfor sustained infection and transmission. Additionally,T. pyogenesstrains displayed metabolic versatility which could also contribute to its ability to thrive in diverse environments. Understanding the genomic and metabolic, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics that enableT. pyogenesto colonize different anatomical sites within a host and its transmission between different animal species is important for the effective control of this pathogen.