AUTHOR=Tao Yuanmeihui , Ge Yajun , Yang Jing , Song Weitao , Jin Dong , Lin Hong , Zheng Han , Lu Shan , Luo Wenbo , Huang Yuyuan , Zhuang Zhenhong , Xu Jianguo 

TITLE=A novel phytopathogen Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., isolated from the feces of ruddy shelducks

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1109634

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2023.1109634

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Based on the reverse microbial etiology principles, two Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, and rod-shaped strains were isolated from feces of ruddy shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea) in the Tibet Plateau of China, designated J780T and J316. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of J780T and J316 showed that they belonged to the genus Erwinia. J780T and J316 shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Erwinia rhapontici and Erwinia persicina. Physiological, biochemical, and chemotaxonomic characterization confirmed that strains J780T and J316 were the novel species in the genus Erwinia, for which Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., was proposed, with the type strain J780T (= CGMCC 1.17334T = GDMCC 1.1666T = JCM 33839T). 
As most species in the genus Erwinia are phytopathogens, we tested the pathogenicity of Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., on plant leaves and pear fruits. The appeared blight and rot on the leaves and pear fruits supported Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., as a phytopathogen. Further, we characterized the possible phytopathogenic determinants by bioinformatic methods. The results showed that the virulence of this pathogen might be related to motility, biofilm formation, exopolysaccharides (EPS, amylovoran), stress survival, siderophores genes, and Type VI secretion system gene clusters. Because of the Erwinia persicina (reference strain of Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov.,) is related to several human infections. Also, the virulent factors related to animal cells were predicted in the genome of Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov.,. Moreover, the results of preliminary adhesion, invasion, and cytotoxicity assays were consistent with putative virulence genes. We hypothesized that Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., might have pathogenicity in animals. 
In conclusion, we isolated and identified a novel phytopathogen Erwinia sorbitola sp. nov., in ruddy shelducks. A predefined pathogen is beneficial for preventing from suffering potential economic losses caused by this new pathogen.