Whole-Genome Sequencing and Pathogenic Characterization of a Pasteurella multocida Serotype A Isolate from a Case of Respiratory Disease in Tan Sheep

TL;DR

This study characterizes a deadly Pasteurella multocida strain from a Tan sheep, using genome sequencing and mouse models to explore its virulence and genetic traits.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed genomic and pathogenic characterization of a P. multocida serotype A isolate from a fatal sheep respiratory disease case.

Findings

The P6 isolate caused severe pulmonary lesions in mice, confirming its virulence.

Genome sequencing revealed multiple mobile genetic elements and virulence-related genes.

Comparative analysis showed P6 is closely related to certain strains but distinct from rodent- and avian-derived isolates.

Abstract

Tan sheep are a characteristic and economically important local breed in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, where respiratory diseases continue to pose challenges to animal health and production. In this study, a Pasteurella multocida strain (P6) was isolated from the lung tissue of a single Tan sheep presenting with severe and fatal respiratory disease, and subjected to case-based genomic and pathogenic characterization. The isolate was identified as capsular serotype A based on biochemical profiling, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, kmt-1 PCR, and capsular typing. To provide supportive evidence of virulence potential, a murine infection model was employed, in which P6 induced acute clinical signs and severe pulmonary lesions, including congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and fibrinous inflammatory exudation. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that strain P6 possesses a 2,289,251 bp genome with a GC content of 40.2%, encoding 2155 predicted genes and multiple mobile genetic elements, including genomic islands, prophages, transposons, and a CRISPR locus. Phylogenetic analysis based on seven housekeeping genes placed P6 in close relationship with strains 166CV and 103220, distinct from several rodent- and avian-derived isolates. Functional genomic analyses identified numerous genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, host–pathogen interaction, virulence-related functions, and antimicrobial resistance. Comparative genomic analysis with the reference strain PM70 indicated a largely conserved functional framework, accompanied by a significant enrichment of mobilome-associated genes, suggesting enhanced genomic plasticity. Overall, this study provides a descriptive genomic overview of a P. multocida isolate associated with respiratory disease in Tan sheep and highlights its genetic features and potential adaptive capacity, while acknowledging the limitations inherent to a single-case investigation.

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