Genomic Epidemiology of Hypervirulent Serogroup W, ST-11 Neisseria meningitidis

摘要: Neisseria meningitidis is a leading bacterial cause of sepsis and meningitis globally with dynamic strain distribution over time. Beginning an epidemic among Hajj pilgrims in 2000, serogroup W (W) sequence type (ST) 11 emerged as the African ‘meningitis belt’ endemic cases South America, Europe, Middle East China. Previous genotyping studies were unable to reliably discriminate sporadic ST-11 strains circulation since 1970 from outbreak (Hajj clone). It also unclear what proportion more recent disease clusters are caused by direct descendants clone. Whole genome sequences 270 meningococcal isolated patients invasive 2013 compared using whole phylogenetic major antigen-encoding gene analyses. We found that all ancestral had undergone unique capsular switching events. The clone its distinct other they shared common antigen profile recombination involving virulence genes encoding factor H binding protein, nitric oxide reductase, nitrite reductase. These data demonstrate acquisition variations was associated emergence Importantly, unrelated contribute significant globally. This study helps illuminate genomic factors evolution.