Genomic Insights into Pasteurella multocida Serotype B:2 from Hemorrhagic Septicemia Outbreaks in Wildlife and Livestock in Kazakhstan

Outbreaks of hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) caused by <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> serogroup B are endemic in Kazakhstan. These outbreaks have repeatedly led to mass mortality events among wild saigas and economic losses to farms. The aim of this study was to conduct the first whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis of <i>P. multocida</i> genomes associated with HS cases in saigas and livestock in Kazakhstan. In this study, WGS was performed on 22 <i>P. multocida</i> isolates obtained from saigas and livestock. A comparative genomic analysis of <i>P. multocida</i> isolates from Kazakhstan and publicly available genomes was performed. All isolates belonged to the B:2:ST122 genotype and formed distinct phylogenetic clusters based on outbreaks in saiga populations and livestock. Clustering also corresponded to identified mutations in virulence genes. Isolates recovered from the 2015 mass mortality of saigas in the Betpak-Dala population were found to have a deletion of the flp1 gene. This observation emphasizes the study of the role of Flp pili in HS pathogenesis. Comparison of the <i>P. multocida</i> B:L2:ST122 genomes revealed low virulence gene diversity and an open pangenome. Prophage annotation did not identify virulence or pathogenicity genes. The obtained results will be useful for future studies of HS pathogenesis.