鲍曼不动杆菌携带前噬菌体的生物信息学分析

[目的] 预测并分析82株全基因组测序的鲍曼不动杆菌前噬菌体的携带情况，鉴定前噬菌体编码的抗生素耐药基因和毒力因子。[方法] 利用PHASTER （Phage Search Tool Enhanced Release）软件预测鲍曼不动杆菌携带的前噬菌体，采用CARD （The Comprehensive Antibiotic Research Database）和VFDB （Virulence Factors Database）在线分析软件预测前噬菌体编码的抗生素耐药基因和毒力因子。[结果] 预测到472条鲍曼不动杆菌前噬菌体，其中完整型前噬菌体201条，疑似型前噬菌体91条，缺陷型前噬菌体180条。平均每株鲍曼不动杆菌基因组中可携带至少2条完整型前噬菌体。每株鲍曼不动杆菌所携带的全部前噬菌体占其基因组比例约为4%-6%。29条前噬菌体携带77个耐药基因，耐药表型共有14种，分别来自15个不同的家族，涵盖6种抗生素耐药的作用机制。132条前噬菌体编码毒力基因，归类为38种毒力基因和34种毒力因子。不同类型的前噬菌体普遍携带1-2种毒力因子，少数前噬菌体携带3种及以上毒力因子。分析毒力因子可能的宿主来源构成比发现，除鲍曼不动杆菌外，脑膜炎奈瑟菌、痢疾志贺氏菌、嗜肺军团菌及其亚种等也有较高的结构比例，是可能的宿主来源。[结论] 鲍曼不动杆菌普遍携带前噬菌体，但前噬菌体基因在鲍曼不动杆菌基因组中所占比例不高。部分前噬菌体携带抗生素耐药基因，以氨基糖苷类、磺胺类及β-内酰胺类耐药为主。约30%的前噬菌体携带毒力基因。前噬菌体可能在鲍曼不动杆菌抗生素耐药性的获得、传播及致病性演变中发挥重要作用。     

Pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici,the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew from some regions of Iran

Wheat powdery mildew is controlled mainly by race-specific resistance. To be effective, breeding wheat for resistance to powdery mildew requires knowledge of virulence diversity in local populations of the pathogen. Isolates of Blumeria graminis, collected in 2009 and 2010 from three areas of Iranian production, were analysed for virulence using a host differential series comprised of 16 known genes conferring resistance to powdery mildew. The results showed that high-virulence frequencies to genes Pm1, Pm2, Pm4a, Pm5, Pm6, Pm7, Pm8 and Pm9 were found over both years and across all three areas. Virulence frequencies for Pm3a and Pm3b were intermediate, while virulence frequencies for Pm3a, Pm3c, Pm4a and Pm2, 6 were low. Genes Pm1, 2, 9 and Pm2, 4b, 8 were highly resistant in all regions. Virulence to Pm8 increased to high levels, while virulence to Pm4a decreased across the area surveyed from 2009 to 2010.     

Virulence variation of Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici in Pakistan

Yellow rust populations of Pakistan were characterised for their virulence pathotypes/races and pathogenetic variation using seedling evaluation of differential genotypes under glasshouse conditions in Murree (6000 feet above sea level). Differential genotypes comprised a world set, an European set, near isogenic lines and the universally susceptible bread wheat cultivar “Morocco”. Over the two-year study a total of 18 race groups were identified. Out of these 18 race groups, several (68E0, 64E0, 66E0, 70E0, 6E0, 71E0, 6E0, 2E0, 67E0, and 68E16) were found previously. The new race group 70E32 found probably evolved because of mutation from the previously existing 70E16. Virulence frequencies of yellow rust (Yr) resistance genes were also determined on near isogenic lines. The highest virulence frequencies (%) were found for Yr7 (88%), Yr9 (57%), Yr18 (70%), and Yr24 (69%). Virulence frequencies were low for Yr 1 (4%), Yr5 (7%), Yr10 (10%) and Yr15 (4%). Our studies indicated that virulence existed for almost all yr genes, necessitating regular monitoring of the yellow rust populations and intensifying efforts to identify new sources of resistance to this pathogen.     

2016-2017年宁夏地区牛源金黄色葡萄球菌的全基因组分析

[目的] 了解宁夏地区奶牛乳腺炎金黄色葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus aureus,SA）代表菌株的基因组序列基本特征,进一步探究其耐药基因型、毒力及进化关系,为兽医临床防治提供理论依据。[方法] 采用纸片法对97株金黄色葡萄球菌临床分离株进行抗菌药物敏感性试验,同时进行葡萄球菌蛋白A（Staphylococcus aureus protein A,spa）分型、多位点序列分型（multilocus sequence typing,MLST）,根据分型结果选取16株代表菌株进行全基因组测序,并对获得的测序序列进行处理分析。[结果] 药敏试验结果显示97株分离株对18种抗菌药物存在不同程度的耐药,其中9株耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus,MRSA）对青霉素、氨苄西林、苯唑西林、头孢噻呋、磺胺异噁唑、红霉素、庆大霉素和克林霉素等8种抗菌药物完全耐药,甲氧西林敏感金黄色葡萄球菌（methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus,MSSA）菌株对青霉素、氨苄西林、磺胺异噁唑耐药率较高。耐药基因数据库（antibiotic resistance genes database,ARDB）注释分析显示16株代表菌株共携带21种耐药基因,其中norA、tet38、bacA、mepA的携带率较高,与药敏试验结果具有一定的相关性。毒力基因数据库（virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria,VFDB）注释分析显示所有菌株携带多种与粘附、宿主免疫逃逸、分泌、胞外酶编码、铁摄取等疾病相关的毒力基因,MRSA菌株均携带较多毒力因子,MSSA菌株携带毒力因子数目不等。基因岛预测结果显示16株代表菌株存在不同数量的基因岛且MRSA菌株携带基因岛数目及毒力基因岛较多,但耐药基因岛数目与MSSA差异不明显。SNP分析结果显示部分分离株同源性较高,同源性较高的两株MRSA的全基因组基本序列特征差异较小,携带的耐药、毒力基因情况相似。[结论] 宁夏地区牛源SA分离株耐药性情况严重且具有较高的毒力水平,本研究为家畜相关MRSA（livestock-associated MRSA,LA-MRSA）与MSSA基因组序列信息的比较分析及宁夏地区SA感染的临床防控提供参考依据。     

Virulence analysis of wheat powdery mildew population (Erysiphe graminis f.sp.tritici) from the region of Slovakia and Hungary

In the year 1992 a total of 163 isolates of wheat powdery mildew were tested. The samples of mildew isolates were obtained by means of a mobile spore catching apparatus. The populations from 4 regions of Slovakia and 3 regions of Hungary were analyzed. The resistance due toPm5, Pm8 andMl-i genes at the observed locations has already been overcome. The resistance genesPm1, Pm2 and a gene combinationPm2+Pm6 ensure the protection only against a part of the patho-types of powdery mildew population. Virulence corresponding to thePm4b gene has been low so far. The regional patterns of pathogen virulence are in good agreement with the gene resistance spectrum by the cultivars grown regionally. Little differences in virulence among the populations from the regions of Slovakia and Hungary indicate that this part of Eastern Europe should be considered as an epidemiologic unit.     

Virulence factor regulator (Vfr) controls virulence‐associated phenotypes in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 by a quorum sensing‐independent mechanism

Virulence factor regulator (Vfr) is a member of the cyclic 3′,5′‐adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) receptor proteins that regulate the expression of many important virulence genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The role of Vfr in pathogenicity has not been elucidated fully in phytopathogenic bacteria. To investigate the function of Vfr in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605, the vfr gene was disrupted. The virulence of the vfr mutant towards host tobacco plants was attenuated significantly, and the intracellular cAMP level was decreased. The vfr mutant reduced the expression of flagella‐, pili‐ and type III secretion system‐related genes and the defence response in nonhost Arabidopsis leaves. Furthermore, the expression levels of achromobactin‐related genes and the iron uptake ability were decreased, suggesting that Vfr regulates positively these virulence‐related genes. In contrast, the vfr mutant showed higher tolerance to antimicrobial compounds as a result of the enhanced expression of the resistance–nodulation–division family members, the mexA, mexB and oprM genes. We further demonstrated that the mutant strains of vfr and cyaA, an adenylate cyclase gene responsible for cAMP synthesis, showed a similar phenotype, suggesting that Vfr regulates virulence factors in a cAMP‐dependent manner. Because there was no significant difference in the production of acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing molecules in the wild‐type, vfr and cyaA mutant strains, Vfr might control important virulence factors by an AHL‐independent mechanism in an early stage of infection by this bacterium.     

Virulence patterns of barley yellow rust and effective resistance genes to Puccinia striiformis in three parts of Iran

Stripe rust of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei, is a serious problem of barley production in many parts of the world. Monitoring of the pathogen virulence factors and their changes provides basic information for development of an early warning system to breeders and researchers. To monitor the regular virulence changes, trap nurseries comprising of 12 barley differential sets were planted at different parts of Iran in six consecutive years 2007–2012. When the infection and severity under natural infection on susceptible cultivar Afzal as the check was high, then the response of each line was assessed using modified Cobbs scale. Results revealed that no virulence was observed on plants with resistance genes rpsEm1, rpsEm2, rpsHF, Rps4, rpsVa1, rpsVa2 and rpsAst. Therefore, these genes were considered effective genes and can be used to pyramid with those for race-non-specific resistance genes to achieve more durable and highly effective resistance to stripe rust. The plants with the resistance genes rps2, Rps1.b, Rps3 and rpsI5 showed susceptible reaction and virulence was observed on them, thus their resistance genes were considered ineffective.     

Genome sequence and comparative analysis of Avibacterium paragallinarum

Background: Avibacterium paragallinarum, the causative agent of infectious coryza, is a highly contagious respiratory acute disease of poultry, which affects commercial chickens, laying hens and broilers worldwide. Methodology: In this study, we performed the whole genome sequencing, assembly and annotation of a Peruvian isolate of A. paragallinarum. Genome was sequenced in a 454 GS FLX Titanium system. De novo assembly was performed and annotation was completed with GS De Novo Assembler 2.6 using the H. influenzae str. F3031 gene model. Manual curation of the genome was performed with Artemis. Putative function of genes was predicted with Blast2GO. Virulence factors were identified by comparison with the Virulence Factor Database. Results: The genome obtained has a length of 2.47 Mb with 40.66% of GC content. Seventy five large contigs (>500 nt) were obtained, which comprised 1,204 predicted genes. All the contigs are available in Genbank [GenBank: PRJNA64665]. A total of 103 virulence factors, reported in the Virulence Factor Database, were found in A. paragallinarum. Forty four of them are present in 7 species of Haemophilus, which are related with pathogenesis, virulence and host immune system evasion. A tetracycline-resistance associated transposon (Tn10), was found in A. paragallinarum, possibly acting as a defense mechanism. Discussion and conclusion: The availability of A. paragallinarum genome represents an important source of information for the development of diagnostic tests, genotyping, and novel antigens for potential vaccines against infectious coryza. Identification of virulence factors contributes to better understanding the pathogenesis, and planning efforts for prevention and control of the disease.     

一株牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的全基因组测序及毒力与耐药性分析

【背景】沙门氏菌(Salmonella spp.)是重要的人畜共患病原菌,其毒力和耐药性的不断增强引起广泛关注。【目的】了解从通辽市一犊牛死亡病例中所分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的毒力及耐药性情况。【方法】以病死犊牛肺脏为材料,经细菌分离纯化及16S rRNA基因测序,鉴定病原为沙门氏菌。采用动物试验、药敏试验和PCR方法对分离菌进行毒力、耐药性,以及毒力基因和耐药基因检测,并对其进行全基因组测序分析。【结果】分离菌具有较强毒力,对小鼠半数致死量为2.8×10⁶ CFU/mL。分离菌为多重耐药菌,仅对多粘菌素B和噻孢霉素敏感,对强力霉素和恩诺沙星中度敏感。检测13种沙门氏菌常见毒力基因,检出率为92.3%。对分离菌进行全基因组测序分析,该菌株为都柏林沙门氏菌,基因组大小为4 965 370 bp,GC含量为52.12%,同时携带2个质粒,大小分别为79 524 bp (pTLS-1)和45 301 bp (pTLS-2)。分离菌中共携带996个毒力基因和24个毒力岛;共携带42个耐药基因,其中4个为可水平转移基因,基因组中存在9个可移动遗传元件,包括插入序列和转座子等。【结论】分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌菌株具有较强毒力且为多重耐药株,携带大量毒力基因及耐药基因。     

Distribution,Disease Level and Virulence Variation of Bremia lactucae on Lactuca sativa in the Czech Republic in the Period 1999–2011

We report the distribution and disease level of downy mildew on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and virulence variation in populations of its causal agent (Bremia lactucae) in the Czech Republic during the period 1999–2011. Disease incidence was not high; among a total of 92 different localities surveyed, 43.4% of them were infected by lettuce downy mildew at least once during the whole period. However, among individual years, differences were found in disease incidence that ranged from 4.8% (2009) to 66.7% (2004). A total of 128 isolates of B. lactucae collected from infected leaf samples in 35 different localities during the surveying period were included in the virulence analysis. Virulence was examined on a set of 19 differential genotypes of Lactuca sativa and Lactuca serriola (EU‐A test set). Isolates exhibited quite a broad variation in virulence to individual Lactuca differential genotypes. Eighteen of 19 virulence factors (v‐factors) tested were present in the samples. The most frequently detected factors were v1–4, v5/8, v6, v7, v10–14, v16, v36 and v38; factor v17 was not found. The most pronounced temporal shift was recorded for factors v36 and v38 whose frequency increased during the studied period. V‐factors 15, 17, 18 and 37 were present in low frequencies in a pathogen population, and their corresponding gene (Dm15) or resistance factors (R17, R18 and R37) may have the best potential for resistance breeding in the Czech Republic. Broad diversity of v‐phenotypes (63 different ones) was identified during the study period. The numbers of v‐factors per v‐phenotype (resp. isolate) varied within a range of 5–15. Within the 128 analysed isolates, only 9 v‐phenotypes were recorded repeatedly (three or more times). Possible reasons of recorded virulence variation are discussed.     

Pathogenic Specialization of Puccinia triticina in Andalusia from 1998 to 2000

Wheat leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) is becoming a serious concern in Spanish wheat, especially on durum wheat where acreage has enormously increased. Host resistance is the preferred method of disease control, but the virulence spectrum of the leaf rust population in Spain is currently unknown. In order to deploy effective Lr genes, this study was conducted to characterize the virulence spectrum of leaf rust in Andalusia (Spain). Isolates were obtained from surveys of wheat fields across Andalusia from 1998 to 2000. From 56 isolates phenotyped, 35 pathotypes were identified. Virulence to Lr10, Lr11, Lr14a, Lr14b and Lr18 was high (>96%), while virulence to Lr9 and Lr24 were not found. None of the isolates collected from durum wheat were virulent to Lr1, Lr3, Lr3ka, Lr3bg, Lr15, Lr16 and Lr17, while many of the isolates collected on bread wheat showed virulence on these genes, indicating a certain specialization in the leaf rust infecting durum wheat. Population dynamics of current wheat leaf rust pathotypes in terms of mutation and migration are discussed.     

Virulence Frequences of Puccinia triticina in Germany and the European Regions of the Russian Federation

From 2001 to 2003, leaf rust was collected in different regions of Germany and the Russian Federation to generate single spore isolates and to study the structure of the pathogen populations by analyses of virulence. The virulence of isolates was tested with 38 near‐isogenic lines each carrying a different resistance gene. The analyses of variance revealed significant effects for the frequency of virulent isolates, the regions and most interactions with years and regions, but no significance was found for the effects of years. In Germany, an increase of virulence frequencies was detected for Lr1 and Lr2a while a decrease was found for Lr3a, Lr3bg and Lr3ka. Such clear trends did not occur in Russia which may be due to the great agroclimatic differences between regions. The variance of the frequency of virulent isolates was used to estimate adequate sample sizes for the analysis of regional populations of leaf rust. This procedure resulted in more reliable information about the dynamic processes within the pathogen populations. In 2002 and 2003, all pathotypes in Germany had a combined virulence to Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr15, Lr17 and Lr20 supplemented by a few other genes. The complexity of virulence was lower in the most frequent pathotypes. In Russia virulence to the alleles at locus Lr3 was very common. Using detached leaf segments in Germany and Russia it turned out that the most virulent pathotypes carry 34 and 32 virulence genes, respectively. Virulence to Lr9, Lr19, Lr24 and Lr38 was rare or even absent. The use of major genes, not overcome by corresponding virulent pathotypes, may contribute to more durable types of resistance in case they are combined with genes having different effects, e.g. adult plant resistance.     

Pathogenicity islands of virulent bacteria: structure, function and impact on microbial evolution

Virulence genes of pathogenic bacteria, which code for toxins, adhesins, invasins or other virulence factors, may be located on transmissible genetic elements such as transposons, plasmids or bacteriophages. In addition, such genes may be part of particular regions on the bacterial chromosome, termed‘pathogenicity islands’(Pais). Pathogenicity islands are found in Gram-negative as well as in Gram-positive bacteria. They are present in the genome of pathogenic strains of a given species but absent or only rarely present in those of non-pathogenic variants of the same or related species. They comprise large DNA regions (up to 200 kb of DNA) and often carry more than one virulence gene, the G+C contents of which often differ from those of the remaining bacterial genome. In most cases, Pais are flanked by specific DNA sequences, such as direct repeats or insertion sequence (IS) elements. In addition, Pais of certain bacteria (e.g. uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Yersinia spp., Helicobacter pylori) have the tendency to delete with high frequencies or may undergo duplications and amplifications. Pais are often associated with tRNA loci, which may represent target sites for the chromosomal integration of these elements. Bacteriophage attachment sites and cryptic genes on Pais, which are homologous to phage integrase genes, plasmid origins of replication or IS elements, indicate that these particular genetic elements were previously able to spread among bacterial populations by horizontal gene transfer, a process known to contribute to microbial evolution.     

Prevalence of Virulence Genes and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Enterococcus Faecalis Isolated from Urinary Tract Infection in Shahrekord,Iran

Background:This study aims to specify the antimicrobial resistance pattern and virulence genes of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from urinary tract infections in Shahrekord, Iran. Methods:Urine samples of 1000 people suspected of having urinary tract infections referred to Shahrekord medical diagnostic laboratories were examined. Biofilm assays were performed by microtiter plate test through reading the OD490. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was applied to study the virulence factors.Results:Enterococcus faecalis was detected in 60 samples. After performing microbiological tests, all samples were positive in the molecular analysis. Strong, moderate and weak biofilm reactions reported 66.67%, 25%, and 8.33% respectively. The most resistance reported to cotrimoxazole, vancomycin and amikacin and the lowest resistance to nitrofurantoin (8.33%) was reported. Statistical analysis with Fisher''s exact test showed a statistically significant relationship between biofilm production and resistance to cotrimoxazole, vancomycin and cefotaxime. Prevalence of efe A, ace, gel E, esp, cyl M, agg, cyl A and cyl B in strong biofilm formation isolates was reported 100%, 87.5%, 82%, 62.5%, 55%, 37.5% 25% and 22.5% respectively. There was a significant relationship between the frequency of efa A and strong biofilm reaction.Conclusion:The presence of E. faecalis strains resistant to co-trimoxazole and vancomycin and present of some virulence factors is alarming the researchers. Since antibiotic resistance genes are probably transmitted among enterococci, and Staphylococci, controlling infections made by enterococci as well as the appropriate administration of antibiotics could treat the nosocomial infections effectively.Key Words: Antibiotic Resistance, Enterococcus faecalis, Urinary Tract Infection, Virulence genes     

病原菌多重耐药与生物膜表型和毒力因子的相关性

本文旨在研究导尿管相关尿路感染病原菌多重耐药与生物膜表型和毒力因子的相关性。选取2018年1月至2019年12月于沈阳市第四人民医院住院期间出现导尿管相关尿路感染的患者为研究对象,收集尿液培养标本,使用全自动微生物鉴定仪和纸片扩散法进行菌株鉴定和药敏试验。根据药敏试验结果,将大肠埃希菌分为多重耐药组和非多重耐药组。紫外分光光度法测定多重耐药组和非多重耐药组大肠埃希菌的生物膜附着力。PCR法分析多重耐药组和非多重耐药组参与大肠埃希菌4种毒力因子(黏附素、保护素、细胞毒素、铁载体)编码的16种基因表达水平。 共收集156例患者的尿液,并从尿液培养标本中分离出病原菌172株,其中大肠埃希菌97株（56.7%）占比最多。药敏试验结果显示,多重耐药组大肠埃希菌对各类抗菌药物的耐药率均超过60%。与非多重耐药组相比,多重耐药组大肠埃希菌生物膜阳性率差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,附着力强度等级差异也有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多重耐药组大肠埃希菌与黏附素相关4种毒力基因fimH、sfa、afa、iha表达明显高于非多重耐药组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。导尿管相关尿路感染病原菌的多重耐药与毒力因子参与产生强附着力生物膜表型有关。     

Race analysis of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici in Iran

The wheat stripe (yellow) rust is one of the most important diseases in Iran. In this study, 41 races out of 104 isolates in greenhouse were determined from 2008 to 2010. Races 6E6A+, 6E10A+ and 6E0A+ were more common. Races 0E0A+ was less aggressive than races 166E158A+ and 134E158A+ with virulence on 11 known genes. Virulence on plant/s with gene/s Yr1, Yr2, Yr4, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr10, Yr25, Yr27, YrSU, YrSD, YrND, Yr3, Yr2+, Yr6+, Yr9+, Yr7+, YrCV and YrA was detected. The majority of isolates with high frequency (more than 70%) showed virulence on plant/s with Yr2, Yr7, Yr9 and YrA genes. No virulence was detected on plant/s with Yr3, Yr5 and YrSP. In greenhouse test, frequency of virulence to wheat genotypes with Yr1, Yr4, Yr10, YrCV (32+) and YrSD gene was less than 7%. Frequency of virulence to other wheat genotypes was between 8 and 100%.     

我国华南沿海海水养殖鱼类病原菌美人鱼发光杆菌(Photobacterium damselae)分离株的毒力基因和耐药性分析

[目的] 为探讨我国华南沿海海水养殖鱼类病原菌美人鱼发光杆菌的非典型毒力基因和耐药性的时空变化,解析影响其毒力和耐药性变化的可能环境因素,为该菌所引起的病害防控提供建议。[方法] 本研究以分离自我国广东和海南沿海患病海水鱼的35株美人鱼发光杆菌为研究对象,利用普通PCR扩增技术,分析5个非典型毒力基因在菌株中的分布情况,并采用纸片扩散法（K-B）分析菌株对15种抗生素的耐药性。[结果] 19株菌含有1–2个被检测的非典型毒力基因,尤其是hlyA和vvh的检出率均高于20%。35株菌多重耐药指数为0.00–0.67,表现出27种耐药谱,多重耐药率（菌株耐抗生素种类>3）达到60.00%,尤其对万古霉素、阿莫西林、麦迪霉素和利福平的耐药率均高于50%,但对庆大霉素、诺氟沙星、环丙沙星、氯霉素和氟苯尼考的耐药率均低于10%。非典型毒力基因含量和耐药性,呈现一定的随年份增加而增强以及海南>广东的时空差异,尤其是耐药性中的谱型丰富度、多重耐药率、某一菌株的最多耐药数量以及多重耐药指数,海南（分别是1.00,69.23%,10,0.32）均大于广东（分别是0.82,54.55%,9,0.25）。[结论] 美人鱼发光菌的非典型毒力基因可能是通过水平基因转移获得,海南与广东区域美人鱼发光菌毒力基因与耐药的差异主要受到温度和抗生素使用的影响。     

Resistance to oat powdery mildew in Britain and Europe: a review

The evolution of virulence in UK oat powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. avenae) populations is presented along with comparative information on the deployment of resistant cultivars. Virulence frequencies have followed classical gene‐for‐gene principles, and there are no effective resistance genes currently deployed in cultivars grown in the UK. The incidence of powdery mildew in continental Europe and pathogen variation is reviewed as well as other strategies for the control of this disease. New resistant sources have been identified and are being used in breeding programmes throughout Europe.     

The Association of Virulence Factors with Genomic Islands

Background

It has been noted that many bacterial virulence factor genes are located within genomic islands (GIs; clusters of genes in a prokaryotic genome of probable horizontal origin). However, such studies have been limited to single genera or isolated observations. We have performed the first large-scale analysis of multiple diverse pathogens to examine this association. We additionally identified genes found predominantly in pathogens, but not non-pathogens, across multiple genera using 631 complete bacterial genomes, and we identified common trends in virulence for genes in GIs. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between GIs and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) proposed to confer resistance to phage.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We show quantitatively that GIs disproportionately contain more virulence factors than the rest of a given genome (p<1E-40 using three GI datasets) and that CRISPRs are also over-represented in GIs. Virulence factors in GIs and pathogen-associated virulence factors are enriched for proteins having more “offensive” functions, e.g. active invasion of the host, and are disproportionately components of type III/IV secretion systems or toxins. Numerous hypothetical pathogen-associated genes were identified, meriting further study.

Conclusions/Significance

This is the first systematic analysis across diverse genera indicating that virulence factors are disproportionately associated with GIs. “Offensive” virulence factors, as opposed to host-interaction factors, may more often be a recently acquired trait (on an evolutionary time scale detected by GI analysis). Newly identified pathogen-associated genes warrant further study. We discuss the implications of these results, which cement the significant role of GIs in the evolution of many pathogens.