Comprehensive Molecular Dissection of <i>Dermatophilus congolensis</i> Genome and First Observation of <i>tet</i>(Z) Tetracycline Resistance

• Main Authors: Ian Branford, Shevaun Johnson, Aspinas Chapwanya, Samantha Zayas, Filip Boyen, Matylda Barbara Mielcarska, Lidia Szulc-Dąbrowska, Patrick Butaye, Felix Ngosa Toka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: <i>Dermatophilus congolensis</i>; genome; <i>tet</i>(Z); antimicrobial resistance AMR; virulence factors; secondary metabolites
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/13/7128

<i>Dermatophilus congolensis</i> is a bacterial pathogen mostly of ruminant livestock in the tropics/subtropics and certain temperate climate areas. It causes dermatophilosis, a skin disease that threatens food security by lowering animal productivity and compromising animal health and welfare. Since it is a prevalent infection in ruminants, dermatophilosis warrants more research. There is limited understanding of its pathogenicity, and as such, there is no registered vaccine against <i>D. congolensis.</i> To better understanding the genomics of <i>D. congolensis</i>, the primary aim of this work was to investigate this bacterium using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. <i>D. congolensis</i> is a high GC member of the Actinobacteria and encodes approximately 2527 genes. It has an open pan-genome, contains many potential virulence factors, secondary metabolites and encodes at least 23 housekeeping genes associated with antimicrobial susceptibility mechanisms and some isolates have an acquired antimicrobial resistance gene. Our isolates contain a single CRISPR array Cas type IE with classical 8 Cas genes. Although the isolates originate from the same geographical location there is some genomic diversity among them. In conclusion, we present the first detailed genomic study on <i>D. congolensis</i>, including the first observation of <i>tet</i>(Z), a tetracycline resistance-conferring gene.