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Microorganisms
Volume 13
Issue 11
10.3390/microorganisms13112552
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Isolates Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

by
Lingling Zhang
1,
Minglu Wang
1,
Jiale Sheng
1,
Lumin Yu
1,
Yike Zhao
1,
Wei Liao
1,
Zitong Liu
1,
Jiang Yu
2,* and
Xinglin Zhang
1,*
1
College of Agriculture and Forestry, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, China
2
Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2025, 13(11), 2552; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112552
Submission received: 2 October 2025 / Revised: 2 November 2025 / Accepted: 4 November 2025 / Published: 7 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Microbiomes)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting pigs across all age groups, leading to conditions such as meningitis, arthritis, and endocarditis. In humans, infections can result in septic arthritis, meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and septicemia, which may be fatal. The absence of a complete genome sequence hinders comprehensive bioinformatic studies of MDR S. suis derived from pigs. In this study, we present the whole-genome sequence of MDR S. suis serotype 2 ST01 isolated from joint fluid samples obtained from pigs. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the ST01 chromosome carries 19 antibiotic resistance genes that confer resistance to major classes of antibiotic including aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, lincosamides, polypeptide, and nitrofurans. Additionally, it contains 15 virulence factors associated with immune modulation, bacterial adherence, and stress survival. Whole-genome analysis identified 84 horizontal gene transfer elements in ST01 (comprising 28 genomic islands, 52 transposons, and 4 prophages), alongside mutations resulting in reduced virulence (302 instances) and loss of pathogenicity (34 instances). Furthermore, 18 antibiotic targets along with 21 lethal mutations were identified as potential targets for preventing, controlling, and treating infection caused by MDR S. suis serotype 2 ST01. In vivo infection experiments demonstrated that intraperitoneal inoculation with ST01 resulted in mortality among Kunming mice, with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 5.62 × 109 CFU/mL. Histopathological analysis revealed varying degrees of lesions in the infected organs of the mice. This study thus provides valuable insights into strategies aimed at combating S. suis infections and their transmission within swine populations.
Keywords: MDR Streptococcus suis serotype 2; whole-genome sequencing; antimicrobial resistance; virulence factors MDR Streptococcus suis serotype 2; whole-genome sequencing; antimicrobial resistance; virulence factors

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, L.; Wang, M.; Sheng, J.; Yu, L.; Zhao, Y.; Liao, W.; Liu, Z.; Yu, J.; Zhang, X. Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Isolates Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. Microorganisms 2025, 13, 2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112552

AMA Style

Zhang L, Wang M, Sheng J, Yu L, Zhao Y, Liao W, Liu Z, Yu J, Zhang X. Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Isolates Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. Microorganisms. 2025; 13(11):2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112552

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Lingling, Minglu Wang, Jiale Sheng, Lumin Yu, Yike Zhao, Wei Liao, Zitong Liu, Jiang Yu, and Xinglin Zhang. 2025. "Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Isolates Using Whole-Genome Sequencing" Microorganisms 13, no. 11: 2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112552

APA Style

Zhang, L., Wang, M., Sheng, J., Yu, L., Zhao, Y., Liao, W., Liu, Z., Yu, J., & Zhang, X. (2025). Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Isolates Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. Microorganisms, 13(11), 2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112552

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