Genetic Relationships of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolates from Clinical, Human Carrier, and Environmental Sources in Thailand, Determined by Multilocus Sequence Analysis

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.03067-12
• Publication Date: 2013-02-02T04:02:30Z
• Authors: Chonchanok Theeth...; Edward J. Feil; Santiago Castillo...; David M. Aanensen; Orasa Suthienkul; Douglas M. Neil; Robert L. Davies
• Keywords: Multilocus sequence typing; Horizontal Gene Transfer

ABSTRACT Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a seafood-borne pathogenic bacterium that major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. We investigated the genetic and evolutionary relationships 101 V. isolates originating from clinical, human carrier, various environmental seafood production sources in Thailand using multilocus sequence analysis. The were recovered clinical samples ( n = 15), healthy carriers 18), types fresh frozen shrimp 16), fresh-farmed tissue farm water 16). Phylogenetic analysis revealed high degree diversity within population, although farmed represented distinct clusters. tight clustering suggests disease-causing are not random sample reservoir, source infection remains unclear. Extensive serotypic occurred among representing same at time. These findings suggest O- K-antigen-encoding loci subject to exceptionally rates recombination. There was also strong evidence interspecies horizontal gene transfer intragenic recombination involving recA locus large proportion isolates. As majority recombinational exchanges carrier isolates, it possible intestinal tract serves as potential reservoir donor recipient strains promoting DNA transfer, driving change, leading emergence new, potentially strains.