Intraspecies Genomic Diversity and Long-Term Persistence of Bifidobacterium longum

摘要: Members of genus Bifidobacterium are Gram-positive bacteria, representing a large part the human infant microbiota and moderately common in adults. However, our knowledge about their diversity, intraspecific phylogeny long-term persistence humans is still limited. longum generally considered to be most prevalent species intestinal microbiota. In this work we studied whole genome sequences 28 strains B. longum, including 8 described paper. Part these were isolated from healthy children during long observation period (up 10 years between isolation same patient). The three known subspecies (longum, infantis suis) could clearly divided using sequence-based phylogenetic methods, gene content average nucleotide identity. profiles glycoside hydrolase genes reflected different ecological specializations subspecies. high impact horizontal transfer on genomic diversity was observed, which possibly due number prophages rapidly spreading plasmids. pan-genome characteristics corresponded open model. While major strain-specific genetic loci represented transposons phage-derived regions, cell envelope synthesis also observed within category, variability surface molecules. We cases genetically similar patients after periods time, however, didn’t succeed identical bacteria: fact, reflecting plasticity children.