Comparison of koala LPCoLN and human strains of Chlamydia pneumoniae highlights extended genetic diversity in the species.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia pneumoniae is a widespread pathogen causing upper and lower respiratory tract infections in addition to a range of other diseases in humans and animals. Previous whole genome analyses have focused on four essentially clonal (> 99% identity) C. pneumoniae human genomes (AR39, CWL029, J138 and TW183), providing relatively little insight into strain diversity and evolution of this species.


RESULTS
We performed individual gene-by-gene comparisons of the recently sequenced C. pneumoniae koala genome and four C. pneumoniae human genomes to identify species-specific genes, and more importantly, to gain an insight into the genetic diversity and evolution of the species. We selected genes dispersed throughout the chromosome, representing genes that were specific to C. pneumoniae, genes with a demonstrated role in chlamydial biology and/or pathogenicity (n = 49), genes encoding nucleotide salvage or amino acid biosynthesis proteins (n = 6), and extrachromosomal elements (9 plasmid and 2 bacteriophage genes).


CONCLUSIONS
We have identified strain-specific differences and targets for detection of C. pneumoniae isolates from both human and animal origin. Such characterisation is necessary for an improved understanding of disease transmission and intervention.
Mitchell
Candice M
CM
Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Hovis
Kelley M
KM
Bavoil
Patrik M
PM
Myers
Garry S A
GS
Carrasco
Jose A
JA
Timms
Peter
P
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D048368:Phascolarctidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000596:Amino Acids; D009711:Nucleotides