Large scale genome analysis of Serratia marcescence to understand its pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16175
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: ONO TOMOYUKI 九州大学, 大学病院, 医員 (80725721)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Serratia marcescens / セラチアマルセスセンス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Serratia marcescens is an important nosocomial pathogen causing various opportunistic infections, such as urinary tract infections, bacteremia and sometimes even hospital outbreaks. In this study, we performed a large-scale genome analysis of S. marcescens and closely related species. Our analysis revealed their phylogenetic relationships and complex global population structure, comprising 14 clades, which were defined based on whole-genome average nucleotide identity. These data provide an important genomic basis for reconsidering the classification of this group of bacteria and reveal novel insights into their evolution, biology and differential importance in clinical settings.

Free Research Field

外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Serratia marcescensは近年臨床現場で問題となる菌ではあるものの、大規模ゲノム解析はほとんど行われてこなかった。本研究ではデータベースを利用しワールドワイドな大規模ゲノム解析を行った。これらの結果から従来の分類とゲノム解析をもとにした分類では異なった結果になることが示され、さらに薬剤耐性遺伝子を多く持つグループが存在することが判明した。本研究の結果は今後の更なる解析の基礎となるデータとなることが期待される。