Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Genetic Diversity and Pathogenic Potential of Haemophilus seminalis and Emended Description of Haemophilus seminalis
Haemophilus seminalis is a newly proposed species that is phylogenetically related to Haemophilus haemolyticus. The distribution of H. seminalis in the human population, its genomic diversity, and its pathogenic potential are still unclear. This study reports the finding of our comparative genomic analyses of four newly isolated Haemophilus strains (SZY H8, SZY H35, SZY H36, and SZY H68) from human sputum specimens (Guangzhou, China) along with the publicly available genomes of other phylogenetically related Haemophilus species. Based on pairwise comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, the four isolates showed Haemophilus species but were identified as belonging to H. seminalis, based on comparable phenotypic and genotypic features. Additionally, the four isolates showed high genome-genome relatedness indices (>95% ANI values) with 17 strains that were previously identified as either "Haemophilus intermedius" or hemin (X-factor)-independent H. haemolyticus and therefore required a more detailed classification study. Phylogenetically, these isolates, along with the two previously described H. seminalis isolates (a total of 23 isolates), shared a highly homologous lineage that is distinct from the clades of the main H. haemolyticus and Haemophilus influenzae strains. These isolates present an open pangenome with multiple virulence genes. Notably, all 23 isolates have a functional heme biosynthesis pathway that is similar to that of Haemophilus parainfluenzae. The phenotype of hemin (X-factor) independence and the analysis of the ispD, pepG, and moeA genes can be used to distinguish these isolates from H. haemolyticus and H. influenzae. Based on the above findings, we propose a reclassification for all "H. intermedius" and two H. haemolyticus isolates belonging to H. seminalis with an emended description of H. seminalis. This study provides a more accurate identification of Haemophilus isolates for use in the clinical laboratory and a better understanding of the clinical significance and genetic diversity in human environments.IMPORTANCE As a versatile opportunistic pathogen, the accurate identification of Haemophilus species is a challenge in clinical practice. In this study, we characterized the phenotypic and genotypic features of four H. seminalis strains that were isolated from human sputum specimens and propose the "H. intermedius" and hemin (X-factor)-independent H. haemolyticus isolates as belonging to H. seminalis. The prediction of virulence-related genes indicates that H. seminalis isolates carry several virulence genes that are likely to play an important role in its pathogenicity. In addition, we depict that the genes ispD, pepG, and moeA can be used as biomarkers for distinguishing H. seminalis from H. haemolyticus and H. influenzae. Our findings provide some insights into the identification, epidemiology, genetic diversity, pathogenic potential, and antimicrobial resistance of the newly proposed H. seminalis. As a versatile opportunistic pathogen, the accurate identification of Haemophilus species is a challenge in clinical practice. In this study, we characterized the phenotypic and genotypic features of four H. seminalis strains that were isolated from human sputum specimens and propose the "H. intermedius" and hemin (X-factor)-independent H. haemolyticus isolates as belonging to H. seminalis.
基金:
National Science and Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program of China [2021FY100900]; Basic and Applied Research Project of Guangzhou Research Program of China [202102080539]; Science and Technology Planning Project of Panyu District [2021-Z04-046]; Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau Planned Project of Science and Technology [2021MZK22]; Specific Research Fund for TCM Science and Technology of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine [YN2020QN26]
第一作者机构:[1]Guangzhou Univ Chinese Med, Clin Coll 2, Guangzhou, Peoples R China
共同第一作者:
通讯作者:
通讯机构:[1]Guangzhou Univ Chinese Med, Clin Coll 2, Guangzhou, Peoples R China[5]Guangzhou Univ Chinese Med, Guangdong Prov Hosp Chinese Med, Dept Clin Lab, Affiliated Hosp 2, Guangzhou, Peoples R China
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Chen Xiaowei,Zhang Hanyun,Feng Junhui,et al.Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Genetic Diversity and Pathogenic Potential of Haemophilus seminalis and Emended Description of Haemophilus seminalis[J].MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM.2023,11(4):doi:10.1128/spectrum.04772-22.
APA:
Chen, Xiaowei,Zhang, Hanyun,Feng, Junhui,Zhang, Lei,Zheng, Minling...&Li, Youqiang.(2023).Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Genetic Diversity and Pathogenic Potential of Haemophilus seminalis and Emended Description of Haemophilus seminalis.MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM,11,(4)
MLA:
Chen, Xiaowei,et al."Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Genetic Diversity and Pathogenic Potential of Haemophilus seminalis and Emended Description of Haemophilus seminalis".MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM 11..4(2023)