title: Whole genome sequence of the Treponema Fribourg-Blanc: unspecified simian isolate is highly similar to the yaws subspecies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unclassified simian strain Treponema Fribourg-Blanc was isolated in 1966 from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in West Africa. This strain was morphologically indistinguishable from T. pallidum ssp. pallidum or ssp. pertenue strains, and it was shown to cause human infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To precisely define genetic differences between Treponema Fribourg-Blanc (unclassified simian isolate, FB) and T. pallidum ssp. pertenue strains (TPE), a high quality sequence of the whole Fribourg-Blanc genome was determined with 454-pyrosequencing and Illumina sequencing platforms. Combined average coverage of both methods was greater than 500×. Restriction target sites (n = 1,773), identified in silico, of selected restriction enzymes within the Fribourg-Blanc genome were verified experimentally and no discrepancies were found. When compared to the other three sequenced TPE genomes (Samoa D, CDC-2, Gauthier), no major genome rearrangements were found. The Fribourg-Blanc genome clustered with other TPE strains (especially with the TPE CDC-2 strain), while T. pallidum ssp. pallidum strains clustered separately as well as the genome of T. paraluiscuniculi strain Cuniculi A. Within coding regions, 6 deletions, 5 insertions and 117 substitutions differentiated Fribourg-Blanc from other TPE genomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Fribourg-Blanc genome showed similar genetic characteristics as other TPE strains. Therefore, we propose to rename the unclassified simian isolate to Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue strain Fribourg-Blanc. Since the Fribourg-Blanc strain was shown to cause experimental infection in human hosts, non-human primates could serve as possible reservoirs of TPE strains. This could considerably complicate recent efforts to eradicate yaws. Genetic differences specific for Fribourg-Blanc could then contribute for identification of cases of animal-derived yaws infections.
authors: Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Zobaníková
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Strouhal
authors: Lenka
authors: L
authors: Mikalová
authors: Darina
authors: D
authors: Cejková
authors: Lenka
authors: L
authors: Ambrožová
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Pospíšilová
authors: Lucinda L
authors: LL
authors: Fulton
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Chen
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Sodergren
authors: George M
authors: GM
authors: Weinstock
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Smajs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016680:Genome, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010215:Papio / Q000382:microbiology; D014208:Treponema / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D015001:Yaws / Q000382:microbiology*
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