Comparative Genomic Analysis of Shrimp-Pathogenic LC and Intraspecific Strains with Emphasis on Virulent Factors of Mobile Genetic Elements.

exhibits severe pathogenicity in humans and animals worldwide. In this study, genome sequencing and comparative analyses were conducted for in-depth characterization of the virulence factor (VF) repertoire of strain LC, which presented significant virulence to shrimp . Strain LC, harboring two circular chromosomes and three linear plasmids, demonstrated ≥98.14% average nucleotide identities with 31 publicly available genomes, including 13, 11, and 7 shrimp-, human-, and non-pathogenic strains, respectively. Phylogeny analysis based on dispensable genes of pan-genome clustered 11 out of 14 shrimp-pathogenic strains and 7 out of 11 clinical strains into two distinct clades, indicating the close association between host-specific pathogenicity and accessory genes. The VFDB database revealed that 150 VFs of LC were mainly associated with the secretion system, adherence, antiphagocytosis, chemotaxis, motility, and iron uptake, whereas no homologs of the typical pathogenic genes , , , and were detected. Four genes, , , , and , were identified in both types of pathogenic strains but were absent in non-pathogens. Notably, a unique cluster similar to Yen-Tc, which encodes an insecticidal toxin complex, and diverse toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, were identified on the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of LC. Conclusively, in addition to the common VFs, various unique MGE-borne VFs, including the Yen-Tc cluster, TA components, and multiple chromosome-encoded chitinase genes, may contribute to the full spectrum of LC virulence. Moreover, demonstrates host-specific virulence, which potentially drives the origin and spread of pathogenic factors.