Comparative Genomic Analysis of Six Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Strains: Insights into Genetic Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an important pathogen in respiratory diseases that causes great damage to the poultry industry every year. On the other hand, despite the resistance of MG to antibiotics, it is important to identify genetic diversity in providing countermeasures. With the aim of knowing more about the mutations in the current research, the genomes of six MG strains were evaluated. Data related to Variant Annotation and Mutation Analysis using SnpEff, and mutation rates were calculated by dividing total number of mutations by length of genomic regions analyzed. In total, ۲۵,۹۴۲ variants were found in the six strains demonstrating a significant genetic diversity. Mycoplasma gallisepticum S۶(PE۲) had the highest number of frameshift mutations. All six strains share a mutation in the MsbA gene, Meanwhile, five of the six strains excluding strain F۹۹ Lab (PE۱) have a mutation at position ۵۱۵۸ that affects a multidrug transport system. Interestingly, strain ATCC (PE۴) has a unique mutation at position ۹۴۲, while PE۲ has a unique mutation at location ۶۸۵۵ linked to efflux ABC transporter components. Significant genetic variation was seen in the CrmA, GapA, and vlhA genes between strains. High-impact changes, like insertions and deletions, were more common in CrmA, particularly in PE۲, whereas nonsynonymous variations were more common in GapA, particularly in PE۱. The vlhA gene displayed a range of effects, from synonymous mutations to high-impact mutations like stop-gains and frameshifts, in strains PE۵ and PE۶, in particular. The functional variations amongst the strains may be attributed to these mutations, which may alter gene expression or protein function. In addition, there were considerable mutations in the dxr and rpoC genes linked to antibiotic resistance. These mutations highlight the ongoing evolutionary adaptations of M. gallisepticum. Therefore, there is a need for revised treatment protocols and the development of targeted vaccines to control resistance in the poultry industry.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mycoplasma gallisepticum ، Genetic variation ، Antibiotic resistance ، Poultry Industry