Genome-wide mosaicism within Mycobacterium abscessus: evolutionary and epidemiological implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In mycobacteria, conjugation differs from the canonical Hfr model, but is still poorly understood. Here, we quantified this evolutionary processe in a natural mycobacterial population, taking advantage of a large clinical strain collection of the emerging pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB).

Results

Multilocus sequence typing confirmed the existence of three M. abscessus subspecies, and unravelled extensive allelic exchange between them. Furthermore, an asymmetrical gene flow occurring between these main lineages was detected, resulting in highly admixed strains. Intriguingly, these mosaic strains were significantly associated with cystic fibrosis patients with lung infections or chronic colonization. Genome sequencing of those hybrid strains confirmed that hal

SUBMITTER: Sapriel G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4756508 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature