# Biological Characteristics and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Corynebacterium hindlerae from Bovine Skin Abscess

## TL;DR

This paper studies the biology and genome of Corynebacterium hindlerae from bovine skin abscesses to aid in diagnosis and control.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the genomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of C. hindlerae strains.

## Key findings

- Strain LSKT01 showed optimal growth at 37°C, pH 5.5, and 1–2% NaCl with strong biofilm formation.
- Phylogenetic analysis grouped five C. hindlerae strains into two subgroups with high ANI similarity.
- Comparative genomics revealed conserved gene families and structural variations among strains.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of Corynebacterium hindlerae, a pathogen discovered in bovine hosts, analyze its genomic features, clarify genetic relationships and differences among strains, and provide a scientific basis for comprehensive clinical prevention and control. The environmental tolerance, biofilm formation capability, and motility of the isolated strain LSKT01 were analyzed. A total of 12 Corynebacterium strains were selected for phylogenetic analysis based on core genes, evaluation of Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI), and comparative genomic analysis covering gene families, synteny, SNPs, InDels, and structural variations (SVs). The isolate exhibited optimal growth at 37 °C, pH 5.5, and 1–2% NaCl concentration, demonstrated strong biofilm-forming ability, but showed weak or no motility. Phylogenetic analysis divided the five Corynebacterium hindlerae strains into two subgroups, with strain LSKT01 being most closely related to strain 1864 (ANI 95.80–98.70%). Comparative genomic analysis revealed highly conserved gene families among strains, while LSKT01 possessed 20 specific paralogs. Genome synteny analysis showed an average similarity >90%, and strains ISL_960a and MAL_1082b exhibited more complex structural variations. The successful isolation and purification of LSKT01 revealed its biological characteristics and genomic features, elucidating the genetic relationships and evolutionary divergence among C. hindlerae strains from diverse sources. This provides a theoretical basis for the rapid diagnosis and precise prevention and control of Corynebacterium hindlerae in Xinjiang.