Streptococcus halichoeri strain:P154 Genome sequencing and assembly. Streptococcus halichoeri strain:P154

During 2005 a novel and severe disease was detected in fur animals called Fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma (FENP). The causative agent was found to be Arcanobacterium phocae. The source of the original A. phocae species jump is thought to have been infected seal meat used as feed. During this investigation a previously undetected Streptococcus in fur animals was also found on many samples, especially from mink. It was suspected that the Streptococcus together with a few other bacteria might contribute to the disease. The Streptococcus was identified as Streptococcus halichoeri. At the same time period Finnish pet dogs were afflicted with an ear infection with poor treatment response. S. halichoeri was isolated from the samples. Later on this bacterium was also found from skin infections of dogs. Our study focuses on further characterizing this emerging pathogen through whole genome sequencing. This approach permits analysis of the core genome and virulence factors of this bacterium.