The pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, and population structure of Streptococcus suis serotype 8

Streptococcus suis is an important bacterial pathogen for pigs. S. suis serotype 8 (SS8) is one of the important pathogenic serotypes frequently isolated from diseased pigs. Furthermore, the capsular polysaccharide of serotype 8 is identical to that of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19F. However, except for a few epidemiologic studies, little information is available for SS8. To deepen the understanding of SS8 pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, and population structure, genomes of SS8 strains isolated from diseased and healthy pigs were sequenced. The deep analysis of these genomes contributes to revealing unique characteristics of SS8 and clarifying the diversity of S. suis.