Whole Genome Sequence of Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 35654: A Reference Pathogen for Phage Therapy Development in Red Tilapia Aquaculture

This project presents the whole-genome sequence of Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 35654, a significant bacterial pathogen associated with Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS) in global aquaculture. This specific genomic characterization was conducted to establish a comprehensive genetic baseline for the development of phage therapy strategies targeting Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) infections.Sequencing was performed using the Illumina NovaSeq platform (2x150 bp), yielding a 4.66 Mb assembly across 35 contigs with a G+C content of 61.7%. Functional annotation identified 4,214 coding sequences (CDS), including essential translation machinery (90 tRNAs and 5 rRNAs).Bioinformatic analysis revealed a multidrug-resistant (MDR) profile, notably the presence of the colistin resistance gene mcr-3 and a characteristic beta-lactamase triad (cphA, cepH, blaOXA). Furthermore, the isolate possesses a robust virulome consisting of Type II, III, and VI secretion systems, as well as potent exotoxins (aerolysin and hemolysin). This genomic data provides critical insights into the phage-host interaction, identifying key surface receptors (pili and flagella) for therapeutic phage adsorption, and serves as a reference for biocontrol applications in sustainable tilapia farming.