Pathogenic analysis of suspected food poisoning due to Clostridium perfringens through whole genome sequencing
10.3969/j.issn.1002-2694.2025.00.011
- VernacularTitle:基于全基组测序的疑似产气荚膜梭菌食物中毒事件的病原学分析
- Author:
Shu-kun YU
1
;
Zi-yan CUI
1
;
Lang LIU
1
;
Ya-xin TAN
1
;
Zhou-ying CUI
1
;
Zhi-yang TAO
1
Author Information
1. 武汉市东西湖区疾病预防控制中心,武汉 430040
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
clostridium perfringens;
multiple PCR initial screening;
whole genome sequencing;
drug resistance genes;
food poisoning
- From:
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses
2025;41(1):61-66
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This study was aimed at tracing the molecular typing and drug resistance characteristics of a suspected food poi-soning event caused by Clostridium perfringens in a district of Wuhan City.The FilmArray detection system and multiple fluo-rescence quantitative PCR methods were used to rapidly screen for pathogens in samples from the poisoning event.According to the initial screening results,bacteria were isolated,cultured,and identified by mass spectrometry.Fluorescence PCR was used to detect six virulence genes of the isolated Clostridium perfringens strains.On the basis of whole genome sequencing results,we conducted virulence genes,resistance genes,and whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism genetic evolution(wgSNPs)analyses.Antibiotic sensitivity testing was conducted with the agar dilution method.A total of ten strains of Clos-tridium perfringens were isolated,including eight strains from seven anal swab samples,one strain from fecal samples,and one strain from food samples.Food with suspected contamination had a Clostridium perfringens count of 7.8×106 CFU/g.The PLC(a)toxin gene was detected in all ten gas producing capsule isolation strains,but no other 5 tox-in genes such as CPE were detected,thus confirming that all were type A bacteria producing capsule Clostridium.All strains were 100％resistant to clindamycin and almost completely sensitive to antibiotics such as vancomycin,cefoxitin,and meropenem.Ten strains of Clos-tridium perfringens carried resistance genes such as tetB(P),tetA(P),and mprF,followed by ermQ(70％),ant(6)-Ⅰb(10％),and LnuP(10％).Genetic evolution analysis of wgSNPs indicated that the four outbreak strains clustered together and belonged to an independent subbranch with the suspected food sourcestrains,thus indicating close genetic relationships.In con-clusion,this food poisoning incident might have been be caused by hand torn chickens contaminated with Clostridium perfrin-gens,and the molecular types of the strains revealed high genetic diversity.No multiple drug resistance was observed,but all strains were resistant to clindamycin,an aspect requiring further clinical attention.
