Phylogenetic and comparative genomics of the family Leptotrichiaceae and introduction of a novel fingerprinting MLVA for Streptobacillus moniliformis

Background: The Leptotrichiaceae are a family of fairly unnoticed bacteria containing both microbiota on mucous membranes as well as significant pathogens such as Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative organism of streptobacillary rat bite fever. Comprehensive genomic studies in members of this family have so far not been carried out. We aimed to analyze 47 genomes from 20 different member species to illuminate phylogenetic aspects, as well as genomic and discriminatory properties. Results: Our data provide a novel and reliable basis of support for previously established phylogeny from this group and give a deeper insight into characteristics of genome structure and gene functions. Full genome analyses revealed that most S. moniliformis strains under study form a heterogeneous population without any significant clustering. Analysis of infra-species variability for this highly pathogenic rat bite fever organism led to the detection of three specific variable number tandem analysis ...背景：纤毛菌科（Leptotrichiaceae）是一类长期以来鲜为人知的细菌类群，其成员既包含黏膜表面的共生微生物群，也涵盖重要致病菌，例如念珠状链杆菌（Streptobacillus moniliformis）——链杆菌型鼠咬热（streptobacillary rat bite fever）的致病原。迄今为止，针对该科类群成员的全面基因组学研究尚未开展。本研究旨在对来自20个不同物种的47个基因组进行分析，以阐明该科的系统发育特征、基因组学特性及鉴别区分属性。 结果：本研究数据为该类群此前已确立的系统发育关系提供了全新且可靠的支撑依据，并深入解析了其基因组结构与基因功能特征。全基因组分析结果显示，本研究涉及的多数念珠状链杆菌菌株构成了一个异质性种群，未呈现显著的聚类特征。针对这一高致病性鼠咬热病原菌的种内变异分析，成功检测出3个特定的可变数目串联分析（variable number tandem analysis）……