Complete genome sequence of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae KC-Na-NB1, a potential histamine producer isolated from finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis)

Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae (Pdd) is an important pathogen in various marine organisms and is a strong histamine producer that causes histamine fish poisoning in humans. We sequenced the genome of Pdd strain KC-Na-NB1, isolated from a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). The genome of the KC-Na-NB1 strain was 4,522,546-bp long (G + C content = 40.1%), comprising two chromosomes and five plasmids. Within this genome, we found virulence-associated genes and gene clusters associated with histamine production (i.e., histidine/histamine antiporter, pyridoxal phosphate-dependent histidine decarboxylase, and histidyl-tRNA synthetase), suggesting a strong potential to cause zoonotic infections and histamine fish poisoning. This work furthers our understanding of risk factors for histamine fish poisoning caused by Pdd and provides insights into microbial diversity in cetaceans.