Prevotella intermedia readily colonizes healthy dental biofilm and is associated with periodontal diseases. The viscous exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing capability is known as a major virulence factor of P. intermedia 17 (Pi17). However, the inter-strain difference in P. intermedia regarding virulence-associated phenotype is not well studied. We compared in vivo virulence and whole genome sequences using five wild-type strains: ATCC 49046 (Pi49046), ATCC 15032 (Pi15032), ATCC 15033 (Pi15033), ATCC 25611 (Pi25611), and Pi17. Non-EPS producing Pi25611 was the least virulent in insect and mammalian models. Unexpectedly, Pi49046 did not produce viscous EPS but was the most virulent, followed by Pi17. Genomes of the five strains were quite similar but revealed subtle differences such as copy number variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Variations between strains were found in genes encoding glycosyltransferases and genes involved in the acquisition of carbohydrates and iron/haem. Based on these genetic variations, further analyses were performed. Phylogenetic and structural analyses discovered phosphoglycosyltransferases of Pi49046 and Pi17 have evolved to contain additional loops that may confer substrate specificity. Pi17, Pi15032, and Pi15033 displayed increased growth by various carbohydrates. Meanwhile, Pi49046 exhibited the highest activities for haemolysis and haem accumulation, as well as co-aggregation with Porphyromonas gingivalis harbouring fimA type II, which is more tied to periodontitis than other fimA types. Collectively, subtle genetic differences related to glycosylation and acquisition of carbohydrates and iron/haem may contribute to the diversity of virulence and phenotypic traits among P. intermedia strains. These variations may also reflect versatile strategies for within-host adaptation of P. intermedia.
Keywords: P. intermedia; genome; inter-strain difference; phenotype; virulence; within-host adaptation.