Aim: Serratia marcescens wound infection after snakebite is often associated with aggressive presentations. However, the virulence determinants remain understudied.
Materials & methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on S. marcescens VGH107, an isolate from wound infection secondary to Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus bite. Comparative genomics approach coupled with multivirulent-locus sequencing typing was applied to systematically predict potential virulence factors.
Results: Multivirulent-locus sequencing typing indicated VGH107 falls within the cluster of high pathogenic strains. Comparative analysis identified virulence genes unique in VGH107, including ecpD and ecpE genes for periplasmic chaperone-pilus subunit complex and cdiA and cdiB genes for contact-dependent growth inhibition system.
Conclusion: The data established here provide foundation for further research regarding the virulence and resistance of S. marcescens.
Keywords: Serratia marcescens; Taiwan; colistin resistance; next-generation sequencing; snake bite; virulence; whole-genome sequencing; wound infection.