Biological Characteristics and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Corynebacterium hindlerae from Bovine Skin Abscess

This study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of <i>Corynebacterium hindlerae</i>, a pathogen discovered in bovine hosts, analyze its genomic features, clarify genetic relationships and differences among strains, and provide a scientific basis for comprehensive clinical prevention and control. The environmental tolerance, biofilm formation capability, and motility of the isolated strain <i>LSKT01</i> were analyzed. A total of 12 <i>Corynebacterium</i> strains were selected for phylogenetic analysis based on core genes, evaluation of Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI), and comparative genomic analysis covering gene families, synteny, SNPs, InDels, and structural variations (SVs). The isolate exhibited optimal growth at 37 °C, pH 5.5, and 1-2% NaCl concentration, demonstrated strong biofilm-forming ability, but showed weak or no motility. Phylogenetic analysis divided the five <i>Corynebacterium hindlerae</i> strains into two subgroups, with strain <i>LSKT01</i> being most closely related to strain <i>1864</i> (ANI 95.80-98.70%). Comparative genomic analysis revealed highly conserved gene families among strains, while <i>LSKT01</i> possessed 20 specific paralogs. Genome synteny analysis showed an average similarity >90%, and strains <i>ISL_960a</i> and <i>MAL_1082b</i> exhibited more complex structural variations. The successful isolation and purification of <i>LSKT01</i> revealed its biological characteristics and genomic features, elucidating the genetic relationships and evolutionary divergence among <i>C. hindlerae</i> strains from diverse sources. This provides a theoretical basis for the rapid diagnosis and precise prevention and control of <i>Corynebacterium hindlerae</i> in Xinjiang.