Genomic diversity in Porphyromonas: evidence of Porphyromonas catoniae commensality in lungs

Data on the genomics of <i>Porphyromonas</i> species other than <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> (POTG), particularly within pulmonary environments, are scarce. In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing on pulmonary isolates of POTG, specifically <i>Porphyromonas catoniae</i> (<i>n</i>=3), <i>Porphyromonas pasteri</i> (<i>n</i>=1) and <i>Porphyromonas uenonis</i> (<i>n</i>=2), from people with cystic fibrosis. These genomic analyses were complemented with antimicrobial susceptibility tests for these strains. We compared the genomic sequences of these pulmonary isolates with those of previously characterized <i>Porphyromonas</i> species. Our study revealed a distinct clade differentiation between non-pigmented and pigmented <i>Porphyromonas</i> species. Unlike <i>P. gingivalis</i>, the pulmonary POTG strains lacked known virulence genes, with the exception of a putative haemolysin gene. Regarding antibiotic resistance, notable resistances were limited to vancomycin in <i>P. catoniae</i> and clindamycin in <i>P. uenonis</i>. These findings support the hypothesis that POTG species may predominantly behave as commensals in the lung environment rather than as pathogens.