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Corynebacterium striatum, a bacterium that is part of the normal skin microbiota, is also an opportunistic pathogen. In recent years, reports of infections and in-hospital and nosocomial outbreaks caused by antimicrobial multidrug-resistant C. striatum strains have been increasing worldwide. However, there are no studies about the genomic determinants related to antimicrobial resistance in C. striatum. This review updates global information related to antimicrobial resistance found in C. striatum and highlights the essential genomic aspects in its persistence and dissemination. The resistome of C. striatum comprises chromosomal and acquired elements. Resistance to fluoroquinolones and daptomycin are due to mutations in chromosomal genes. Conversely, resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines, phenicols, beta-lactams, and aminoglycosides are associated with mobile genomic elements such as plasmids and transposons. The presence and diversity of insertion sequences suggest an essential role in the expression of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in genomic rearrangements and their potential to transfer these elements to other pathogens. The present study underlines that the resistome of C. striatum is dynamic; it is in evident expansion and could be acting as a reservoir for ARGs.

The underlying evolutionary mechanisms driving global expansions of pathogen strains are poorly understood. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of only two marine pathogens where variants have emerged in distinct climates globally. The success of a Vibrio parahaemolyticus clone (VpST3) in Latin America- the first spread identified outside its endemic region of tropical Asia- provided an invaluable opportunity to investigate mechanisms of VpST3 expansion into a distinct marine climate. A global collection of VpST3 isolates and novel Latin American isolates were used for evolutionary population genomics, pangenome analysis and combined with oceanic climate data. We found a VpST3 population (LatAm-VpST3) introduced in Latin America well before the emergence of this clone in India, previously considered the onset of the VpST3 epidemic. LatAm-VpST3 underwent successful adaptation to local conditions over its evolutionary divergence from Asian VpST3 isolates, to become dominant in Latin America. Selection signatures were found in genes providing resilience to the distinct marine climate. Core genome mutations and accessory gene presences that promoted survival over long dispersals or increased environmental fitness were associated with environmental conditions. These results provide novel insights into the global expansion of this successful V. parahaemolyticus clone into regions with different climate scenarios. Vibrio parahaemolyticus Sequence Type 3 was first reported in India and expanded globally to areas with distinct climates including Latin America. In this study, the authors investigate the evolutionary mechanisms driving emergence of the strain in Latin America using 280 publicly available genomes and 32 samples newly sequenced in this study.

Despite the broad distribution of M. ozzardi in Latin America and the Caribbean, there is still very little DNA sequence data available to study this neglected parasite’s epidemiology. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, especially the cytochrome oxidase (CO1) gene’s barcoding region, have been targeted successfully for filarial diagnostics and for epidemiological, ecological and evolutionary studies. MtDNA-based studies can, however, be compromised by unrecognised mitochondrial pseudogenes, such as Numts. Here, we have used shot-gun Illumina-HiSeq sequencing to recover the first complete Mansonella genus mitogenome and to identify several mitochondrial-origin pseudogenes. Mitogenome phylogenetic analysis placed M. ozzardi in the Onchocercidae “ONC5” clade and suggested that Mansonella parasites are more closely related to Wuchereria and Brugia genera parasites than they are to Loa genus parasites. DNA sequence alignments, BLAST searches and conceptual translations have been used to compliment phylogenetic analysis showing that M. ozzardi from the Amazon and Caribbean regions are near-identical and that previously reported Peruvian M. ozzardi CO1 reference sequences are probably of pseudogene origin. In addition to adding a much-needed resource to the Mansonella genus’s molecular tool-kit and providing evidence that some M. ozzardi CO1 sequence deposits are pseudogenes, our results suggest that all Neotropical M. ozzardi parasites are closely related.

Corynebacterium striatum, present in the microbiota of human skin and nasal mucosa, has recently emerged as a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, notable for its resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Its mobilome comprises several mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences and integrons, which contribute to the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes. This study analyzes the contribution of the C. striatum mobilome in the transfer and dissemination of resistance genes. In addition, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), essential in the dissemination of resistance genes between bacterial populations, whose role in C. striatum has not yet been studied, are examined. This study examined 365 C. striatum genomes obtained from the NCBI Pathogen Detection database. Phylogenetic and pangenome analyses were performed, the resistance profile of the bacterium was recognized, and mobile elements, including putative ICE, were detected. Bioinformatic analyses identified 20 antimicrobial resistance genes in this species, with the Ermx gene being the most predominant. Resistance genes were mainly associated with plasmid sequence regions and class 1 integrons. Although an ICE was detected, no resistance genes linked to this element were found. This study provided valuable information on the geographic spread and prevalence of outbreaks observed through phylogenetic and pangenome analyses, along with identifying antimicrobial resistance genes and mobile genetic elements that carry many of the resistance genes and may be the subject of future research and therapeutic approaches.

Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that colonizes in the human nasopharynx, occasionally causes invasive meningococcal disease leading to meningitis or septicemia. Different serogroups and lineages (clonal complexes) are related to the occurrence and epidemiology of N. meningitidis. Despite vaccines for most serogroups, N. meningitidis lineages causing unusual clinical manifestations and a higher fatality rate compared to other lineages have been reported in South America. The present study focused on exploring the diversity of N. meningitidis prophages from South America and their relationship with the epidemiological variables of these strains. We found a high diversity of prophages among the different clonal complexes. By comparing them with previously described N. meningitidis phages and prophages, we revealed groups of prophages sharing similar compositions, which could be useful for prophage comparison in N. meningitidis. Furthermore, we observed a high correlation between the prophage content and epidemiological features, e.g., pathogenicity or clonal complex. Additionally, a distinctive filamentous prophage named here as IMSAR-11 (Invasive Meningococci from South America Related to cc11) was identified. Interestingly, two versions of IMSAR-11, circular and chromosomally integrated, were found. Overall, this study reinforces the importance of the genomic characterization of circulating N. meningitidis lineages to generate new targets for lineage monitoring, diagnosis, or appropriateness of vaccine development. Further studies are necessary to understand the role of these prophages in the persistence, dispersal, and virulence of N. meningitidis in the world.

The present study evaluated the effect of two inoculum concentrations on the degradation of crude oil by Corynebacterium stationis CsPe-1. To this end, two treatment systems were utilized, each containing Davies Minimum Medium, 1% crude oil, and bacterial inoculum at concentrations of 10% and 15%, respectively. The degree of oil biodegradation was determined by evaluating the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), the chemical oxygen demand (COD), the concentration and fractions of oil and grease, and the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). The results indicated that both BOD5 and COD exhibited an increase after a 20-day treatment period. For the 10% and 15% inoculum concentrations, a statistically significant difference was observed between the initial and final values of oils and fats (p < 0.05). In both systems, the levels of oils and fats decreased by 61%, contrasting with the control system, which exhibited minimal variation. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the degradation of TPH at the two inoculum concentrations. The findings indicated that the biodegradation of TPH was more efficient with an inoculum of 15%, resulting in a 79.94% reduction in fraction 3 (28–40 carbon chains). Fraction 1 exhibited less degradation, attributable to the toxicity of short-chain n-alkanes. Genomic analysis identified the pcaG and pcaH genes, which have been linked to the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study underscores the biotechnological potential of strain CsPe-1 for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated environments, thereby contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15.

Neisseria meningitidis infections are a major issue for global health. The invasive MenC ST-103 clonal complex (CC103) has been the most prevalent in meningococcal outbreaks in Brazil, occurring also in several countries worldwide. Here we have analysed the population structure and accessory genome of MenC CC103 strains from a global perspective. An in-depth phylogenomic analysis revealed a lineage of N. meningitidis causing meningitis in Brazil and the United Kingdom. This lineage was also characterized as harbouring a particular accessory genome composed of CRISPR/Cas and restriction modification systems. This lineage was also characterized by a genomic island resembling an integrative and conjugative element. This island carried genes potentially associated with virulence and fitness. We propose this accessory gene repertoire could be contributing to the spatial-temporal persistence of the invasive MenC CC103 lineage.