Genetic traits of IncK2 plasmids and the Escherichia coli host underlying the association to the chicken gut
This manuscript presents the phylogeny and conservation of IncK2 plasmids in Europe. It also provides insights into genetic traits responsible for IncK2 plasmids and its <i>Escherichia coli</i> host adaptation to the chicken gut. Fifty-eight <i>E. coli</i> isolates from nine European countries were sequenced using Illumina and Nanopore technology. Genetic analyses were performed to determine the relatedness of IncK2 plasmids and their <i>E. coli</i> hosts from poultry (80% of the total) and other sources. To analyse genetic traits associated with <i>E. coli</i> and IncK2 plasmid from chicken origin, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed. The phylogenetic analysis of IncK2 plasmids revealed conservation across sources and countries of isolation. GWAS revealed multiple genes associated with IncK2 plasmids or its <i>E. coli</i> host from chicken origin. The predicted functions of these genes can indicate a selective advantage in the chicken gut, and that IncK2 plasmids are adapted to the physiological environment of the chicken gut.
Authors
- Elena Lavinia Diaconu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2115-4311)
- Arkadiusz Bomba
- Magdalena Zając (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8155-7614)
- Kristina Rizzardi
- Patricia Alba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9621-0955)
- Manal AbuOun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4190-1473)
- Marta Rozwandowicz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7474-7137)
- Kees Veldman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2560-3276)
- Angela HAM van Hoek
- Virginia Carfora (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3835-4723)
- Joost Hordijk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7883-9979)
- Emma Nord
- Stefan Börjesson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2219-2659)
- Marianne Sunde (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2326-4338)
- Jannice Schau Slettemeås (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2542-6991)
- Pieter‐Jan Ceyssens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7735-8316)
- Vera Manageiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7729-4199)
- Engeline van Duijkeren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9419-9852)
- Mattias Myrenås (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0537-3266)
- Benoît Doublet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0531-0967)
- Manuela Caniça
- Daisy Gates
- M. Brouwer
- Jens-André Hammerl
- Antoni P.A. Hendrickx
- Oskar K. Lindsjö
- Soleveig S. Mo
- Henrik Hasman
- Muna F. Anjum
- Thomas H.A. Haverkamp
Institutions
- Statens Serum Institut (DK)
- Université de Tours (FR)
- Public Health Agency of Sweden (SE)
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (GB)
- Örebro University (SE)
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (DE)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (NL)
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PL)
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (PT)
- Sciensano (Belgium) (BE)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana (IT)
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NO)
- Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microbial Genomics
- Published
- 2026-03-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001535
- Primary Topic
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00