ARS | Publication request: Genomics and isolation of emerging CHRO species

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 10, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Members of the genus Campylobacter have been isolated from a wide variety of environments, as well as multiple avian and mammalian hosts. Campylobacters have been implicated in disease in both livestock and humans, primarily causing gastroenteritis in the latter. Several Campylobacter species, predominantly C. jejuni, have been isolated from food, milk and water; thus, several campylobacters are considered food-borne pathogens. The related genus Arcobacter has also been associated with human illness and several species have been isolated from food and water. Currently, the genomes of 12 Campylobacter species and 2 Arcobacter species have been sequenced to completion. Our lab has sequenced the genomes of 18 additional Campylobacter taxa and 8 additional Arcobacter taxa, thereby acquiring genomic data on all validly-described taxa within the two genera, including both subspecies of C. lari and C. hyointestinalis and all three biovars of C. sputorum. Comparative genomic/proteomic analyses of these genomes have identified gene sets with distinct evolutionary histories, as well as genes tentatively involved in environmental- and/or host-adaptation. In addition, gene sets conserved among one or more groups of Campylobacter species (e.g. thermotolerant vs. non-thermotolerant campylobacters) and putative clade-distinguishing markers were identified. Analysis of the Campylobacter and Arcobacter genomes will provide further insights into the biology of these two genera, as well as the biology of the larger epsilonproteobacterial subdivision, and will be used in the development of improved typing and detection methods.