Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.09.09.612034

Genomic and metabolic characterization of Trueperella pyogenes isolated from domestic and wild animals

Magossi, G.·James-Gzyl, K. E.·Holman, D. B.·Nagaraja, T. G.·Amachawadi, R. G.·Amat, S.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Trueperella pyogenes is an important bacterial pathogen implicated in infections such as mastitis, metritis, pneumonia, and liver abscesses in both domestic and wild animals as well as endocarditis and prosthetic joint infections in humans. Understanding the genomic and metabolic features that enable T. pyogenes to colonize different anatomical sites within a host and its inter-kingdom transmission and survival is important for the effective control of this pathogen. We employed whole genome sequencing, phenotype microarrays, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to identify genomic, metabolic and phenotypic features as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in T. pyogenes recovered from different livestock, companion and wildlife animals. For comparative genomic analysis, 83 T. pyogenes genomes, including 60 isolated in the current study and 23 publicly available genomes were evaluated. These genomes represented T. pyogenes strains originated from 16 different body sites of 11 different animal hosts (e.g. bovine, swine, ovine, cervid, bison, equine, chamois, feline). Additionally, 49 T. pyogenes isolates (bovine, ovine, deer, swine and feline) were evaluated for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance using disk diffusion, and for metabolic profiling using the Biology GENIII MicroPlates. We identified that T. pyogenes strains are not host- or body site-specific. The presence of conserved virulence genes (plo and fimA), as well as genotypic and phenotypic AMR may contribute to T. pyogeness ability to cause infections in livestock, wildlife, and pets. Most of the tested isolates metabolized diverse carbon sources and chemical compounds, suggesting that this metabolic versatility may contribute to T. pyogenes survival, competitive advantage, and pathogenic potential. ImportanceTrueperella pyogenes is an important animal pathogen with zoonotic potential, posing a significant health concern to both animals and humans due to its ability to cause infections across different animal host species and tissues. Current understanding of this pathogens adaptability and survival mechanisms is limited. Here, we evaluated the genomic, virulence, metabolic, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of T. pyogenes recovered from 16 different body sites of 11 different animal hosts (livestock, companion, and wild animals). We identified multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes that may enable T. pyogenes for sustained infection and transmission. Additionally, T. pyogenes strains displayed metabolic versatility which could also contribute to its ability to thrive in diverse environments. Understanding the genomic and metabolic, and antimicrobial resistance characteristics that enable T. pyogenes to colonize different anatomical sites within a host and its transmission between different animal species is important for the effective control of this pathogen.

Explore related subjects

microbiologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Magossi, G., James-Gzyl, K. E., Holman, D. B., Nagaraja, T. G., Amachawadi, R. G., Amat, S.. 2024-09-09. Genomic and metabolic characterization of Trueperella pyogenes isolated from domestic and wild animals. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.09.612034

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

A population-scale landscape of the subgingival microbiome reveals divergent routes to periodontal dysbiosis

Periodontitis is an archetypical mucosal inflammatory disease in which microbiome dysbiosis at the tooth-epithelial interface interacts with host genetic and behavioral risk factors to drive immune-mediated tissue destruction. Although subgingival microbiome compositional shifts are thought to parallel disease severity, microbiome variation at the population-level and its relationship to periodontal clinical phenotypes and disease-modifying factors remain poorly defined. Here, we use unsupervised manifold learning to map the compositional landscape of the subgingival microbiome in 1,355 adults spanning periodontal health to severe periodontitis. We identified eight latent microbiome states organized along a branching continuum from eubiosis to dysbiosis. An intermediate microbial configuration marked ecological destabilization and bifurcation into two distinct periodontitis-associated dysbiotic trajectories, distinguished by links to gingival inflammation and smoking. Although the microbiome trajectories broadly tracked periodontal destruction, a minority of individuals showed discordant microbiome-clinical phenotypes, with some individuals with periodontitis retaining otherwise eubiotic microbiomes enriched for low-abundance pathobionts, while some cases of health or mild disease had highly dysbiotic communities, suggesting distinct host susceptibility. Together, these findings define a population-scale ecological landscape of the subgingival microbiome, reveal divergent trajectories to periodontal dysbiosis, and highlight heterogeneity in the relationship between microbial community structure and clinical disease expression.

microbiology↗
bioRxiv2026

Beta-lactam enhancement against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by cell wall blockade is autolysis-dependent: a butyrolactone derivative as case in point

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is non-susceptible to beta-lactams. Blockade of cell wall biosynthesis is a potential target for beta-lactam enhancement but requires further investigation. A butyrolactone derivative enhanced beta-lactams against MRSA strains by reducing the availability of D-Ala-D-Ala. Unlike D-cycloserine, it did not inhibit D-Ala-D-Ala ligase (Ddl). Nor did it show an additive or synergistic effect when combined with cycloserine, indicating a unique mechanism for blocking cell wall precursor production that does not involve the traditional Lipid II pathway. Notably, beta-lactam potentiation by our chemical or D-cycloserine was highly dependent on the intrinsic autolytic ability of the tested MRSA strains. Strains that resisted lysis upon Triton X-100 exposure showed a minimal increase in beta-lactam susceptibility, whereas highly autolytic strains showed significant changes in their beta-lactam MICs. We have thus identified autolytic ability as the Achilles Heel in the strategy of targeting cell wall biosynthesis for beta-lactam potentiation.

microbiology↗
bioRxiv2026

Rapid and largely reversible shifts in the canine fecal metabolome during dietary change

Diet can rapidly change the fecal metabolome, but less is known about recovery after the original diet is restored. We used untargeted UPLC-MS metabolomics to analyze 72 fecal samples from nine Pumi dogs during an owner-managed switch from dry food to raw food and back to dry food. Diet phase accounted for a large proportion of variation in both ionization modes. More than 13,000 LC-MS features changed at the first sampling point after the switch to raw food, with a similarly large response after return to dry food. Among features significant in both comparisons, more than 99% changed in opposite directions. At the final sampling point, no positive-mode (ESI+) features and only 13 negative-mode (ESI-) features differed from the second dry-food baseline under the same threshold. BARF-associated patterns persisted in analyses excluding individual dogs and in pedigree-adjusted candidate models, although individual feature effects depended on normalization. Putative metabolites from several biochemical classes differed in their response and recovery. The fecal metabolome therefore changed rapidly and returned largely toward baseline, with differences among dogs.

microbiology↗