Pathogenicity and Genomic Characterization of a Novel Genospecies, <i>Bacillus shihchuchen</i>, of the <i>Bacillus cereus</i> Group Isolated from Chinese Softshell Turtle (<i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>)
The Chinese softshell turtle (CST; <i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>) is a freshwater aquaculture species of substantial economic importance that is commercially farmed across Asia, particularly in Taiwan. Although diseases caused by the <i>Bacillus cereus</i> group (Bcg) pose a maj...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/11/9636 |
| Summary: | The Chinese softshell turtle (CST; <i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>) is a freshwater aquaculture species of substantial economic importance that is commercially farmed across Asia, particularly in Taiwan. Although diseases caused by the <i>Bacillus cereus</i> group (Bcg) pose a major threat to commercial CST farming systems, information regarding its pathogenicity and genome remains limited. Here, we investigated the pathogenicity of Bcg strains isolated in a previous study and performed whole-genome sequencing. Pathogenicity analysis indicated that QF108-045 isolated from CSTs caused the highest mortality rate, and whole-genome sequencing revealed that it was an independent group distinct from other known Bcg genospecies. The average nucleotide identity compared to other known Bcg genospecies was below 95%, suggesting that QF108-045 belongs to a new genospecies, which we named <i>Bacillus shihchuchen</i>. Furthermore, genes annotation revealed the presence of anthrax toxins, such as edema factor and protective antigen, in QF108-045. Therefore, the biovar anthracis was assigned, and the full name of QF108-045 was <i>Bacillus shihchuchen</i> biovar anthracis. In addition to possessing multiple drug-resistant genes, QF108-045 demonstrated resistance to various types of antibiotics, including penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin), cephalosporins (ceftifour, cephalexin, and cephazolin), and polypeptides, such as vancomycin. |
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| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |