Cryptococcus gattii in North American Pacific Northwest: Whole-Population Genome Analysis Provides Insights into Species Evolution and Dispersal

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dc.contributor.authorEngelthaler, David M
dc.contributor.authorHicks, Nathan D
dc.contributor.authorGillece, John D
dc.contributor.authorRoe, Chandler C
dc.contributor.authorSchupp, James M
dc.contributor.authorDriebe, Elizabeth M.
dc.contributor.authorGilgado, Felix
dc.contributor.authorCarriconde, Fabian
dc.contributor.authorTrilles, Luciana
dc.contributor.authorFiracative, Carolina
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Bercoff, Asa
dc.contributor.authorHuttley, Gavin Austin
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-07T22:46:38Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.date.updated2015-12-07T11:43:52Z
dc.description.abstractThe emergence of distinct populations of Cryptococcus gattii in the temperate North American Pacific Northwest (PNW) was surprising, as this species was previously thought to be confined to tropical and semitropical regions. Beyond a new habitat niche, the dominant emergent population displayed increased virulence and caused primary pulmonary disease, as opposed to the predominantly neurologic disease seen previously elsewhere. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 118 C. gattii isolates, including the PNW subtypes and the global diversity of molecular type VGII, to better ascertain the natural source and genomic adaptations leading to the emergence of infection in the PNW. Overall, the VGII population was highly diverse, demonstrating large numbers of mutational and recombinational events; however, the three dominant subtypes from the PNW were of low diversity and were completely clonal. Although strains of VGII were found on at least five continents, all genetic subpopulations were represented or were most closely related to strains from South America. The phylogenetic data are consistent with multiple dispersal events from South America to North America and elsewhere. Numerous gene content differences were identified between the emergent clones and other VGII lineages, including genes potentially related to habitat adaptation, virulence, and pathology. Evidence was also found for possible gene introgression from Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii that is rarely seen in global C. gattii but that was present in all PNW populations. These findings provide greater.IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus gattii emerged in the temperate North American Pacific Northwest (PNW) in the late 1990s. Beyond a new environmental niche, these emergent populations displayed increased virulence and resulted in a different pattern of clinical disease. In particular, severe pulmonary infections predominated in contrast to presentation with neurologic disease as seen previously elsewhere. We employed population-level whole-genome sequencing and analysis to explore the genetic relationships and gene content of the PNW C. gattii populations. We provide evidence that the PNW strains originated from South America and identified numerous genes potentially related to habitat adaptation, virulence expression, and clinical presentation. Characterization of these genetic features may lead to improved diagnostics and therapies for such fungal infections. The data indicate that there were multiple recent introductions of C. gattii into the PNW. Public health vigilance is warranted for emergence in regions where C. gattii is not thought to be endemic.
dc.identifier.issn2161-2129
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/25859
dc.publisherAmerican Society for Microbiology
dc.rightsAuthor/s retain copyrighten_AU
dc.sourcemBio
dc.titleCryptococcus gattii in North American Pacific Northwest: Whole-Population Genome Analysis Provides Insights into Species Evolution and Dispersal
dc.typeJournal article
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Accessen_AU
local.bibliographicCitation.issue4
local.contributor.affiliationEngelthaler, David M, Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationHicks, Nathan D, Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationGillece, John D, Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationRoe, Chandler C, Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationSchupp, James M, Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationDriebe, Elizabeth M., Translational Genomics Research Institute
local.contributor.affiliationGilgado, Felix, The University of Sydney
local.contributor.affiliationCarriconde, Fabian, The University of Sydney
local.contributor.affiliationTrilles, Luciana, University of Sydney
local.contributor.affiliationFiracative, Carolina, The University of Sydney
local.contributor.affiliationPerez-Bercoff, Asa, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationHuttley, Gavin Austin, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.authoremailu5251590@anu.edu.au
local.contributor.authoruidPerez-Bercoff, Asa, u5251590
local.contributor.authoruidHuttley, Gavin Austin, u9800703
local.description.notesImported from ARIES
local.identifier.absfor060411 - Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics
local.identifier.absfor060502 - Infectious Agents
local.identifier.absfor060102 - Bioinformatics
local.identifier.absseo920109 - Infectious Diseases
local.identifier.ariespublicationu3526593xPUB41
local.identifier.citationvolume5
local.identifier.doi10.1128/mBio.01464-14
local.identifier.scopusID2-s2.0-84907715254
local.identifier.thomsonID000341588100028
local.identifier.uidSubmittedByu3526593
local.type.statusPublished Version

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