Streptococcus suis Genome sequencing and assembly
Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a zoonotic pathogen causing losses to swine industry and threatening human health. S. suis can lead meningitis and septicemia, and even death. Ocular infections caused by S. suis are rare and further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of ocular infection in order to develop effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Based on clinical symptoms, imaging, molecular detection, and isolated culture methods, we diagnosed a rare case of intraocular infection and bilateral deafness caused by S. suis. The results of the drug susceptibility test found that it is sensitive to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, linezolid, levofloxacin, and meropenem. Oxford/Nanopore whole genome sequencing showed that its molecular subtype was sequence type (ST) 353 and belongs to serotype 2, most similar to related strains collected from wild pigs in the provinces of Sichuan, Henan, and Hebei in China. Combining the patient's occupation and recent skin damage clinical information, we inferred that the infection was caused by interspecies transmission of S. suis. The results of this study indicate that by comprehensively utilizing multiple strategies, S. suis infections can be diagnosed in a timely manner, and further timely treatment can prevent the infection from worsening. Asian countries currently face a certain risk of S. suis infections in humans, especially in high-risk populations related to the pig industry. The results of this study are of critical importance for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of S. suis.