Shrimp exports generate substantial employment opportunities and revenue in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the occurrence of Vibrio-associated epidemics remains a significant public health concern, with broader socio-economic consequences. This study characterizes the genomic and pathogenic features of the V. cholerae strain associated with local seafood market in Bangladesh. We employed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using Nanopore long-read sequencing technology to investigate the genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence determinants of V. cholerae isolated from giant freshwater shrimps in Noakhali, Bangladesh. The genome of V. cholerae strain SU109 was assembled with high completeness (97.63%) and contiguity (L50 = 1). Functional and pathway investigations revealed that the strain possesses a sophisticated network of genes and metabolic processes, demonstrating its survival capabilities across various conditions. The pathway analysis identified numerous biosynthetic gene clusters (ectoine, vibriobactin, terpene, isocyanide, and β-lactone) associated with the synthesis of secondary metabolites, suggesting environmental resilience, iron acquisition, stress adaptation, microbial competitiveness, and may contribute to the strain’s virulence and ecological fitness. Pangenome studies identified 2,120 core genes, highlighting substantial genetic diversity and adaptability. A phylogenetic study indicated a close evolutionary link between shrimp and clinical strains, suggesting potential genome conservation across environmental and clinical isolates. These findings indicate that V. cholerae strain SU109 may serve as a reservoir of virulence- and resistance-associated traits in seafood, highlighting the need for continued surveillance, stringent hygiene practices, and careful interpretation of genomic predictions to evaluate public health risks.
Chamonara et al. (Thu,) studied this question.