Genome sequence of lung pathogenic Escherichia coli O78, a chimeric strain isolated from pneumonia forest musk deer

Pneumonia is one of the major diseases of forest musk deer (FMD) that affects the survival of musk deer breeding farms. Lung pathogenic Escherichia coli (LPEC) strains were found to be one of the principal bacterial pathogens, and O78 was found to be the dominant serotype and the most poisonous, thus it was selected as further study. Here we have finished the LPEC O78 genome sequence, genomic comparative analysis and genome annotation. In the genome of LPEC O78, genes encoded major virulence factors (VFs) of urinary tract infection (UTI) and neonatal meningitis-causing E. coli (NMEC) were detected. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that LPEC O78 belongs to the D group of E. coli and clustered with human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) UMNO26. Orthologous analysis showed that LPEC O78 was close to UMNO26 in evolutionary relationships, the results were consistent with phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, analysis of the specific genes using COG, GO and Swiss-Prot databases revealed specific functions in the LPEC O78, some of these differences might reflect the pathogenicity of LPEC O78. It was the first time that LPEC from FMD was sequenced, through the virulence gene analysis, an example of a genome of chimeric pathogenic properties was found. The results were in favor of the possibility that strain of animal origin LPEC O78 was dangerous for public health and consequently constitute a zoonotic risk. Moreover, the functions study of specific genes will facilitate understand the pathogenicity of LPEC O78, and aid in the development of control measures.