High-resolution genomics uncovers region-specific evolution and virulence of ocular <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>

Due to the lack of studies focusing on ocular pneumococcus other than in the United States, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of <i>S. pneumoniae</i>, which causes ocular infections in other regions worldwide. This study provides the first high-resolution genomic map of ocular <i>S. pneumoniae</i>, revealing Asian-specific variability in UV-damage repair (uvrB) and global DNA integrity (SP_1247) genes that may be essential for survival on UV-exposed ocular surfaces. By linking ermB-driven macrolide resistance, the absence of zmpC, and unique serotype and recombination distribution to these UV-adaptation signatures, this work redefines ocular pneumococci as a distinct ecotype whose regional evolution must be incorporated into future vaccines, antibiotic guidelines, and rapid molecular diagnostics to prevent blindness-causing eye infections.

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Publication Details

Journal
Microbiology Spectrum
Published
2026-02-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03291-25
Primary Topic
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

High-resolution genomics uncovers region-specific evolution and virulence of ocular Streptococcus pneumoniae

Feng Zhao, Mengke Ye, Shouyuan Chen, Linlin Liu et al.
Microbiology Spectrum
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
article

High-resolution genomics uncovers region-specific evolution and virulence of ocular Streptococcus pneumoniae

Feng Zhao, Mengke Ye, Shouyuan Chen, Linlin Liu, Tao Wang, Xi Xiang, Bo Li, Jun Lu, Ying Fu, Wu X, Dongping Hu, Yan Jiang, Yunsong Yu, Tingting Hong, Lihong Ge
article en

Abstract

Due to the lack of studies focusing on ocular pneumococcus other than in the United States, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of <i>S. pneumoniae</i>, which causes ocular infections in other regions worldwide. This study provides the first high-resolution genomic map of ocular <i>S. pneumoniae</i>, revealing Asian-specific variability in UV-damage repair (uvrB) and global DNA integrity (SP_1247) genes that may be essential for survival on UV-exposed ocular surfaces. By linking ermB-driven macrolide resistance, the absence of zmpC, and unique serotype and recombination distribution to these UV-adaptation signatures, this work redefines ocular pneumococci as a distinct ecotype whose regional evolution must be incorporated into future vaccines, antibiotic guidelines, and rapid molecular diagnostics to prevent blindness-causing eye infections.

Microbiology SpectrumVol. 14(3)
Wenzhou Medical University (CN), Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (CN), Quzhou City People's Hospital (CN), Quzhou University (CN), National Clinical Research (US), Institute of Microbial Technology (IN), Dongyang People's Hospital (CN), Hangzhou Medical College (CN), Zhejiang University (CN)
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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