Phylogenetic Grouping of Human Ocular Based on Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis.

is a predominant bacterium in the intestinal tracts of animals. Phylogenetically, strains have been classified into seven phylogroups, A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F. Pathogenic strains have been categorized into several pathotypes such as Enteropathogenic (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic (ETEC), Enteroinvasive (EIEC), Enteroaggregative (EAEC), Diffusely adherent (DAEC), Uropathogenic (UPEC), Shiga-toxin producing (STEC) or Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and Extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). also survives as a commensal on the ocular surface. However, under conditions of trauma and immune-compromised states, causes conjunctivitis, keratitis, endopthalmitis, dacyrocystitis, etc. The phylogenetic affiliation and the pathotype status of these ocular strains is not known. For this purpose, the whole-genome sequencing of the 10 ocular strains was accomplished. Based on whole-genome SNP variation, the ocular strains were assigned to phylogenetic groups A (two isolates), B2 (seven isolates), and C (one isolate). Furthermore, results indicated that ocular originated either from feces (enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic), urine (uropathogenic), or from extra-intestinal sources (extra-intestinal pathogenic). A high concordance was observed between the presence of AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) genes and antibiotic resistance in the ocular strains. Furthermore, several virulent genes ( to , to , etc.) and prophages (Enterobacteria phage HK97, Enterobacteria phage P1, phage etc.) were unique to ocular This is the first report on a whole-genome analysis of ocular strains.