Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae Pathogenesis and Genomic Characterization

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacillus of global veterinary and human significance. It causes erysipelas in livestock, aquaculture species and wildlife, and erysipeloid or septicaemia in occupationally exposed individuals. Pathogenesis involves adhesion to endothelial cells and extracellular matrix components, facilitated by surface proteins such as SpaA and moonlighting enzymes like glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Following attachment, the bacterium evades host defences through biofilm formation, capsule production and manipulation of immune signalling. Disease manifestations range from subclinical carriage to acute septicaemia with vascular thrombosis and tissue infarction. Genomic analyses have revealed extensive homologous recombination within the core genome and the existence of multiple clades that transcend host and geographic boundaries. Pan-genome studies demonstrate an open accessory genome enriched in mobile elements, including integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), pathogenicity islands and prophages, which disseminate antimicrobial-resistance and virulence determinants. Comparative genomics has identified conserved adhesins, phospholipases and regulatory loci, as well as clade-specific single-nucleotide variants in key surface proteins. Multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome phylogenetics have been employed to trace transmission in swine and poultry outbreaks, wildlife mortalities and zoonotic infections. Ongoing efforts aim to correlate genomic variation with phenotypic traits such as antimicrobial resistance, host tropism and vaccine escape. The integration of pan-genome wide association studies with in vitro and in vivo infection models promises to pinpoint genetic determinants of virulence. Such knowledge underpins novel diagnostics, refined vaccine design and targeted antimicrobial stewardship strategies to mitigate the impact of this multifaceted pathogen across animal and human health sectors.

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Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae Pathogenesis and Genomic Characterization publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae pathogenesis and genomic characterization across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Pan-genome: The full complement of genes within all strains of a species, comprising core and accessory genomes.

Integrative and Conjugative Element (ICE): A mobile genetic element that integrates into the chromosome and mediates horizontal gene transfer.

Virulence factor: A molecule or structure that enables a pathogen to colonise, evade host defences or cause disease.

Serotype: A classification based on distinct surface antigens, often reflecting variation in capsule or cell-wall polysaccharides.

Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST): A method of characterising strains by sequencing internal fragments of multiple housekeeping genes.

References

1. Integrative and Conjugative Elements and Prophage DNA as Carriers of Resistance Genes in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Strains from Domestic Geese in Poland. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
2. Genomic characterization and virulence gene profiling of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae isolated from widespread muskox mortalities in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. BMC Genomics (2024).
3. Pathology, microbiology, and genetic diversity associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and novel Erysipelothrix spp. infections in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).
4. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase acts as an adhesin in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae adhesion to porcine endothelial cells and as a receptor in recruitment of host fibronectin and plasminogen. Veterinary Research (2017).
5. Genomic analysis of the multi-host pathogen Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae reveals extensive recombination as well as the existence of three generalist clades with wide geographic distribution. BMC Genomics (2016).
6. A combinational approach of multilocus sequence typing and other molecular typing methods in unravelling the epidemiology of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains from poultry and mammals. Veterinary Research (2015).