Comparative Genomic Analysis of Six Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Strains: Insights into Genetic Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

Department of Pathobiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.32592/ARI.2025.80.1.93

Abstract

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an important pathogen in respiratory diseases that causes great damage to the poultry industry every year. On the other hand, despite the resistance of MG to antibiotics, it is important to identify genetic diversity in providing countermeasures. With the aim of knowing more about the mutations in the current research, the genomes of six MG strains were evaluated. Data related to Variant Annotation and Mutation Analysis using SnpEff, and mutation rates were calculated by dividing total number of mutations by length of genomic regions analyzed. In total, 25,942 variants were found in the six strains demonstrating a significant genetic diversity. Mycoplasma gallisepticum S6(PE2) had the highest number of frameshift mutations. All six strains share a mutation in the MsbA gene, Meanwhile, five of the six strains excluding strain F99 Lab (PE1) have a mutation at position 5158 that affects a multidrug transport system. Interestingly, strain ATCC (PE4) has a unique mutation at position 942, while PE2 has a unique mutation at location 6855 linked to efflux ABC transporter components. Significant genetic variation was seen in the CrmA, GapA, and vlhA genes between strains. High-impact changes, like insertions and deletions, were more common in CrmA, particularly in PE2, whereas nonsynonymous variations were more common in GapA, particularly in PE1. The vlhA gene displayed a range of effects, from synonymous mutations to high-impact mutations like stop-gains and frameshifts, in strains PE5 and PE6, in particular. The functional variations amongst the strains may be attributed to these mutations, which may alter gene expression or protein function. In addition, there were considerable mutations in the dxr and rpoC genes linked to antibiotic resistance. These mutations highlight the ongoing evolutionary adaptations of M. gallisepticum. Therefore, there is a need for revised treatment protocols and the development of targeted vaccines to control resistance in the poultry industry.

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References

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Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 80, Issue 1
January and February 2025
Pages 93-102

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