Recombination and Population Structure in Salmonella enterica
2011

Recombination and Population Structure in Salmonella enterica

Sample size: 114 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Didelot Xavier, Bowden Rory, Street Teresa, Golubchik Tanya, Spencer Chris, McVean Gil, Sangal Vartul, Anjum Muna F., Achtman Mark, Falush Daniel, Donnelly Peter

Primary Institution: Department of Statistics, Oxford University

Hypothesis

What is the role of recombination in the population structure of Salmonella enterica?

Conclusion

The study identified five distinct lineages of Salmonella enterica, with varying levels of recombination among them.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study sequenced around 10% of the core genome of 114 isolates of Salmonella enterica.
  • Five clear lineages were defined, with one lineage being five times older than the others.
  • Evidence of recombination was found to vary significantly among the identified lineages.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a type of bacteria called Salmonella and found that it has five different groups that mix genes in different ways, which helps them understand how these bacteria evolve.

Methodology

The researchers sequenced about 10% of the core genome from 114 Salmonella enterica isolates using a resequencing microarray and analyzed the data with Structure and ClonalFrame methods.

Limitations

The study did not include isolates of serovar Typhi, which may limit the understanding of the overall population structure of Salmonella enterica.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pgen.1002191

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