Whole genome sequencing indicates Corynebacterium jeikeium comprises 4 separate genomospecies and identifies a dominant genomospecies among clinical isolates.

ABSTRACT: Corynebacterium jeikeium is an opportunistic pathogen which has been noted for significant genomic diversity. The population structure within this species remains poorly understood. Here, we explore the relationships among 15 clinical isolates of C. jeikeium (reference strains K411 and ATCC 43734, and 13 primary isolates collected over a period of 7 years) through genetic, genomic, and phenotypic studies. We report a high degree of divergence among strains based on 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and rpoB gene sequence analysis, supporting the presence of genetically distinct subgroups. Whole genome sequencing indicates genomic-level dissimilarity among subgroups, which qualify as four separate and distinct Corynebacterium species based on an average nucleotide identity (ANIb) threshold of <

SUBMITTER: Salipante SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4252571 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature