Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Genomics of Re-emergent Aeromonas salmonicida in Atlantic Salmon Outbreaks

Marcos Godoy
* ORCID logo ,
Marco Montes de Oca
,
Rudy Suarez
,
Alexis Martinez
,
Juan Pablo Pontigo
,
Diego Caro
,
Karina Kusch
,
Harry Bohle
,
Molly Kibenge
ORCID logo ,
Frederick Kibenge
ORCID logo ,
Sion Bayliss
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 1 December 2023 / Approved: 1 December 2023 / Online: 1 December 2023 (05:31:10 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Godoy, M.; Montes de Oca, M.; Suarez, R.; Martinez, A.; Pontigo, J.P.; Caro, D.; Kusch, K.; Coca, Y.; Bohle, H.; Bayliss, S.; Kibenge, M.; Kibenge, F. Genomics of Re-Emergent Aeromonas salmonicida in Atlantic Salmon Outbreaks. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 64. Godoy, M.; Montes de Oca, M.; Suarez, R.; Martinez, A.; Pontigo, J.P.; Caro, D.; Kusch, K.; Coca, Y.; Bohle, H.; Bayliss, S.; Kibenge, M.; Kibenge, F. Genomics of Re-Emergent Aeromonas salmonicida in Atlantic Salmon Outbreaks. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 64.

Abstract

Furunculosis, caused by Aeromonas salmonicida, poses a significant threat to both salmonid and non-salmonid fish in diverse aquatic environments. This study explores the genomic intricacies of re-emergent A. salmonicida outbreaks in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Previous clinical cases have exhibited pathological characteristics, such as periorbital hemorrhages and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Genomic sequencing of three Chilean isolates (ASA04, ASA05, and CIBA_5017) and 25 previously described genomes determined the pan-genome, phylogenomics, insertion sequences, and restriction-modification systems. Unique gene families have contributed to an improved understanding of the psychrophilic and mesophilic clades, while phylogenomic analysis has been used to identify mesophilic and psychrophilic strains, thereby further differentiating between typical and atypical psychrophilic isolates. Diverse insertion sequences and restriction-modification patterns have highlighted genomic structural differences and virulence factor predictions can emphasize exotoxin disparities, especially between psychrophilic and mesophilic strains. Thus, a novel plasmid was characterized, which emphasized the role of plasmids in virulence and antibiotic resistance. The analysis of antibiotic resistance factors revealed resistance against various drug classes in Chilean strains. Overall, this study elucidates the genomic dynamics of re-emergent A. salmonicida and provides novel insights into their virulence, antibiotic resistance, and population structure. However, rigorous monitoring and control in aquaculture remain crucial to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Keywords

furunculosis; Aeromonas salmonicida; Salmo salar; genomic diversity

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Aquatic Science

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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