Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39789465›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2025

A sweeping view of avian mycoplasmas biology drawn from comparative genomic analyses.

Elhem Yacoub, Vincent Baby, Pascal Sirand-Pugnet, Yonathan Arfi, Helmi Mardassi, Alain Blanchard, Salim Chibani, Boutheina Ben Abdelmoumen Mardassi

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Elhem YacoubUnit of Mycoplasmas, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Vincent BabyCentre de Diagnostic Vétérinaire de L'Université de Montréal (CDVUM), Faculty of Veterinary Medecine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
Pascal Sirand-PugnetUniv. Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, 33882, Villenave d'Ornon, France.
Yonathan ArfiUniv. Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, 33882, Villenave d'Ornon, France.
Helmi MardassiUnit of Typing and Genetics of Mycobacteria, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Alain BlanchardUniv. Bordeaux, INRAE, UMR BFP, 33882, Villenave d'Ornon, France.
Salim ChibaniUnit of Mycoplasmas, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Boutheina Ben Abdelmoumen MardassiUnit of Mycoplasmas, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia. boutheina.mardassi@pasteur.rns.tn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAvian mycoplasmas are small bacteria associated with several pathogenic conditions in many wild and poultry bird species. Extensive genomic data are available for many avian mycoplasmas, yet no comparative studies focusing on this group of mycoplasmas have been undertaken so far.

resultsHere, based on the comparison of forty avian mycoplasma genomes belonging to ten different species, we provide insightful information on the phylogeny, pan/core genome, energetic metabolism, and virulence of these avian pathogens. Analyses disclosed considerable inter- and intra-species genomic variabilities, with genome sizes that can vary by twice as much. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated orthologous genes revealed that avian mycoplasmas fell into either Hominis or Pneumoniae groups within the Mollicutes and could split into various clusters. No host co-evolution of avian mycoplasmas can be inferred from the proposed phylogenetic scheme. With 3,237 different gene clusters, the avian mycoplasma group under study proved diverse enough to have an open pan genome. However, a set of 150 gene clusters was found to be shared between all avian mycoplasmas, which is likely encoding essential functions. Comparison of energy metabolism pathways showed that avian mycoplasmas rely on various sources of energy. Superposition between phylogenetic and energy metabolism groups revealed that the glycolytic mycoplasmas belong to two distinct phylogenetic groups (Hominis and Pneumoniae), while all the arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas belong only to Hominis group. This can stand for different evolutionary strategies followed by avian mycoplasmas and further emphasizes the diversity within this group. Virulence determinants survey showed that the involved gene arsenals vary significantly within and between species, and could even be found in species often reported apathogenic. Immunoglobulin-blocking proteins were detected in almost all avian mycoplasmas. Although these systems are not exclusive to this group, they seem to present some particular features making them unique among mycoplasmas.

conclusionThis comparative genomic study uncovered the significant variable nature of avian mycoplasmas, furthering our knowledge on their biological attributes and evoking new hallmarks.

Indexed as

BirdsGenome, BacterialGenomicsMycoplasmaPhylogenyAnimalsBird DiseasesEnergy MetabolismMultigene FamilyMycoplasma InfectionsVirulenceAvian mycoplasmasComparative genomicsEnergy metabolismPan/core genomePhylogenyVirulence

Identifiers

PMID39789465
PMCPMC11720521

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