- Volume 7, Issue 11, 2025

The UK Plant Health Risk Register (PHRR) lists bacterial pathogens of regulatory concern, but genome sequences – particularly for type and pathotype strains – are lacking for several taxa. We surveyed 59 bacterial taxa listed in the PHRR and identified key gaps in publicly available genome data for those taxa. To address these, we sequenced 17 bacterial strains from the National Collection of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (NCPPB), using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies to assemble complete, chromosome-level sequences. Newly sequenced genomes include type strains Agrobacterium arsenijevicii NCPPB 4602, Pectobacterium aroidearum NCPPB 929 and Xanthomonas hydrangeae NCPPB 4692 in addition to pathotype strains Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina NCPPB 935, X. arboricola pv. pruni NCPPB 416, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola NCPPB 581 and Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. fici NCPPB 2372. Also included were non-type strains: Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (NCPPB 3725, 3727 and 3728), three strains received as X. axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola (NCPPB 1939 and 3948) and five strains of X. euvesicatoria pv. fici (NCPPB 3886, 3887, 3797, 3795 and 3796). These bacterial genome sequences have relevance for global microbiology and plant pathology communities beyond the UK. All data have been deposited in public repositories. These genomes will help support taxonomy, molecular assay development and plant health surveillance. Data are publicly available under BioProject accessions PRJNA1126170, PRJNA1127186, PRJNA1127218, PRJNA1129842, PRJNA1129913 and PRJNA1130007.

Introduction. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a well-described neurological disorder that follows acute infection, vaccination and organ transplantation. It is characterized by sudden and widespread areas of inflammation in the central nervous system. Previous case reports have described ADEM with evidence of either recent or current herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. However, here, we report a rare, to our knowledge never before documented, case of ADEM associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Case report. A 20-year-old man presented with weakness and sensory disturbance to the lower limbs, which had gradually progressed over the preceding 7 days, with associated fever, urinary retention and bowel incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging was in keeping with a diagnosis of ADEM with mainly spinal involvement. Lumbar puncture revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis with elevated protein, and PCR was strongly positive for HSV-2. He was treated with aciclovir and dexamethasone, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics until negative bacterial and mycobacterial culture results were obtained. His functional status improved over the following months, but, despite prolonged rehabilitation, neurological sequelae remain.

Conclusion. HSV-2 may be considered a possible aetiological agent in cases of ADEM.