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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Animal Health Genomics » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370833
Research Project: Genomic Intervention Strategies to Prevent and/or Treat Respiratory Diseases of Ruminants

Location: Animal Health Genomics

Title: Identification of pan and core genomes of Moraxella bovis

Author
item Clawson, Michael - Mike
item Schuller, Genevieve - Gennie
item Dickey, Aaron
item HILLE, MATTHEW - University Of Nebraska
item Wynn, Emily
item LOY, JOHN - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2020
Publication Date: 6/2/2020
Citation: Clawson, M.L., Schuller, G., Dickey, A.M., Hille, M.M., Wynn, E.L., Loy, J.D. 2020. Identification of pan and core genomes of Moraxella bovis [abstract]. American Society for Microbiology Microbe, June 18-22, 2020, Chicago, Illinois. Poster No. 6697.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), also known as pinkeye, affects all breeds of cattle. Early clinical signs include corneal ulceration and edema, blepharospasm, photophobia, lacrimation, and epiphora. These signs become more pronounced as the disease progresses. Residual corneal scarring can result in reduced vision for some animals affected with IBK, as can permanent blindness in extreme cases of corneal rupture. The pain experienced by cattle affected with IBK is thought to be substantial, and responsible for reduced feed intake and weight gain. There are two species of Moraxella that are associated with IBK, Moraxella bovoculi and Moraxella bovis. M. bovoculi is commonly isolated from IBK cases, however, it has not been shown to be a causative agent of the disease. Moraxella bovis, while isolated less frequently from IBK cases then M. bovoculi, is the only known IBK causative agent to date. Prior to this study, little was known regarding the genetic diversity of M. bovis in North American cattle, including the extent of genes shared among strains. To address that, we targeted a diverse collection of 32 M. bovis strains representing 29 different IBK cases from 17 US states and between the years of 2011-2015 for whole genome sequencing on PacBio and Illumina platforms. A majority of the genomes were de novo assembled into closed, circularized chromosomes, as were plasmids harbored by the strains. Analyses of the genomes revealed the pan and core genomes of M. bovis strains isolated from IBK cases. The core genome, which consists of genes found in all M. bovis strains, can be mined for proteins or other biological determinants that may be suitable for the development of potential IBK intervention strategies, such as vaccines.