1
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Bolten S, Ralyea RD, Lott TT, Orsi RH, Martin NH, Wiedmann M, Trmcic A. Utilizing whole genome sequencing to characterize Listeria spp. persistence and transmission patterns in a farmstead dairy processing facility and its associated farm environment. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00995-0. [PMID: 39004131 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Farmstead dairy processing facilities may be particularly susceptible to Listeria spp. contamination due to the close physical proximity of their processing environments (PE) to associated dairy farm environments (FE). In this case study, we supported the implementation of interventions focused on improving (i) cleaning and sanitation efficacy, (ii) hygienic zoning, and (iii) sanitary equipment/facility design and maintenance in a farmstead dairy processing facility, and evaluated their impact on Listeria spp. detection in the farmstead's PE over 1 year. Detection of Listeria spp. in the farmstead's PE was numerically reduced from 50% to 7.5% after 1 year of intervention implementation, suggesting that these interventions were effective at improving Listeria spp. control. In addition, environmental samples were also collected from the farmstead's FE to evaluate the risk of the FE as a potential source of Listeria spp. in the PE. Overall, detection of Listeria spp. was higher in samples collected from the FE (75%, 27/36) compared with samples collected from the PE (24%, 29/120). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed on select isolates collected from the PE and FE supported the identification of 6 clusters (range of 3 to 15 isolates per cluster) that showed ≤ 50 high quality single nucleotide polymorphism (hqSNP) differences. Of these 6 clusters, 3 (i.e., clusters 2, 4, and 5) contained isolates that were collected from both the PE and FE, suggesting that transmission between these 2 environments was likely. Moreover, all cluster 2 isolates represented a clonal complex (CC) of L. monocytogenes commonly associated with dairy farm environmental reservoirs (i.e., CC666), which may support that the farmstead's FE represented an upstream source of the cluster 2 isolates that were found in the PE. Overall, our data underscore that, while the FE can represent a potential upstream source of Listeria spp. contamination in a farmstead dairy processing facility, implementation of targeted interventions can help effectively minimize Listeria spp. contamination in the PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bolten
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853; Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Robert D Ralyea
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Timothy T Lott
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Renato H Orsi
- Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Nicole H Martin
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Martin Wiedmann
- Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
| | - Aljosa Trmcic
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853.
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2
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Burdová A, Véghová A, Minarovičová J, Drahovská H, Kaclíková E. The Relationship between Biofilm Phenotypes and Biofilm-Associated Genes in Food-Related Listeria monocytogenes Strains. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1297. [PMID: 39065070 PMCID: PMC11279107 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness associated with high mortality rates. Therefore, L. monocytogenes is considered a challenge for the food industry due to the ability of some strains to persist in food-associated environments. Biofilm production is presumed to contribute to increased L. monocytogenes resistance and persistence. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes isolates from a meat processing facility and sheep farm previously characterized and subjected to whole-genome sequencing and (2) perform a comparative genomic analysis to compare the biofilm formation and the presence of a known set of biofilm-associated genes and related resistance or persistence markers. Among the 37 L. monocytogenes isolates of 15 sequence types and four serogroups involved in this study, 14%, 62%, and 24% resulted in the formation of weak, moderate, and strong biofilm, respectively. Increased biofilm-forming ability was associated with the presence of the stress survival islet 1 (SSI-1), inlL, and the truncated inlA genes. Combining the phenotypic and genotypic data may contribute to understanding the relationships between biofilm-associated genes and L. monocytogenes biofilm-forming ability, enabling improvement in the control of this foodborne pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Burdová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.B.); (H.D.)
| | - Adriana Véghová
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.V.); (J.M.)
| | - Jana Minarovičová
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.V.); (J.M.)
| | - Hana Drahovská
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.B.); (H.D.)
| | - Eva Kaclíková
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.V.); (J.M.)
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3
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Lagarde J, Feurer C, Denis M, Douarre PE, Piveteau P, Roussel S. Listeria monocytogenes prevalence and genomic diversity along the pig and pork production chain. Food Microbiol 2024; 119:104430. [PMID: 38225039 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe invasive illness. This ubiquitous species is widely distributed in the environment, but infection occurs almost exclusively through ingestion of contaminated food. The pork production sector has been heavily affected by a series of L. monocytogenes-related foodborne outbreaks in the past around the world. Ready-to-eat (RTE) pork products represent one of the main food sources for strong-evidence listeriosis outbreaks. This pathogen is known to be present throughout the entire pig and pork production chain. Some studies hypothesized that the main source of contamination in final pork products was either living pigs or the food-processing environment. A detailed genomic picture of L. monocytogenes can provide a renewed understanding of the routes of contamination from pig farms to the final products. This review provides an overview of the prevalence, the genomic diversity and the genetic background linked to virulence of L. monocytogenes along the entire pig and pork production chain, from farm to fork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Lagarde
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; INRAE, Unit of Process Optimisation in Food, Agriculture and the Environment (UR OPAALE), 17 avenue de Cucillé, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Carole Feurer
- IFIP, The French Pig and Pork Institute, Department of Fresh and Processed Meat, La Motte au Vicomte, 35650, Le Rheu, France
| | - Martine Denis
- ANSES, Unit of Hygiene and Quality of Poultry and Pork Products (UHQPAP), Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, 31 rue des fusillés, 22440, Ploufragan, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Douarre
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Piveteau
- INRAE, Unit of Process Optimisation in Food, Agriculture and the Environment (UR OPAALE), 17 avenue de Cucillé, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Sophie Roussel
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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4
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Gao B, Cai H, Xu B, Yang F, Dou X, Dong Q, Yan H, Bu X, Li Z. Growth, biofilm formation, and motility of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from food and clinical samples located in Shanghai (China). Food Res Int 2024; 184:114232. [PMID: 38609218 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a common foodborne pathogen that frequently causes global outbreaks. In this study, the growth characteristics, biofilm formation ability, motility ability and whole genome of 26 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food and clinical samples in Shanghai (China) from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed. There are significant differences among isolates in terms of growth, biofilm formation, motility, and gene expression. Compared with other sequence type (ST) types, ST1930 type exhibited a significantly higher maximum growth rate, the ST8 type demonstrated a stronger biofilm formation ability, and the ST121 type displayed greater motility ability. Furthermore, ST121 exhibited significantly high mRNA expression levels compared with other ST types in virulence genes mpl, fbpA and fbpB, the quorum sensing gene luxS, starvation response regulation gene relA, and biofilm adhesion related gene bapL. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses indicated the isolates of lineage I were mostly derived from clinical, and the isolates of lineage II were mostly derived from food. The motility ability, along with the expression of genes associated with motility (motA and motB), exhibited a significantly higher level in lineage II compared with lineage I. The isolates from food exhibited significantly higher motility ability compared with isolates from clinical. By integrating growth, biofilm formation, motility phenotype with molecular and genotyping information, it is possible to enhance comprehension of the association between genes associated with these characteristics in L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- BinRu Gao
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
| | - Hua Cai
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
| | - Biyao Xu
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Xin Dou
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
| | - Qingli Dong
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
| | - Hui Yan
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
| | - Xiangfeng Bu
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
| | - Zhuosi Li
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.
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5
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Bolten S, Lott TT, Ralyea RD, Gianforte A, Trmcic A, Orsi RH, Martin NH, Wiedmann M. Intensive Environmental Sampling and Whole Genome Sequence-based Characterization of Listeria in Small- and Medium-sized Dairy Facilities Reveal Opportunities for Simplified and Size-appropriate Environmental Monitoring Strategies. J Food Prot 2024; 87:100254. [PMID: 38417482 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Small- and medium-sized dairy processing facilities (SMDFs) may face unique challenges with respect to controlling Listeria in their processing environments, e.g., due to limited resources. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) for Listeria control in eight SMDFs in a ∼1-year longitudinal study; this included a comparison of pre-operation (i.e., after cleaning and sanitation and prior to production) and mid-operation (i.e., at least 4 h into production) sampling strategies. Among 2,072 environmental sponge samples collected across all facilities, 272 (13%) were positive for Listeria. Listeria prevalence among pre- and mid-operation samples (15% and 17%, respectively), was not significantly different. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed on select isolates to characterize Listeria persistence patterns revealed repeated isolation of closely related Listeria isolates (i.e., ≤20 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism [hqSNP] differences) in 5/8 facilities over >6 months, suggesting Listeria persistence and/or reintroduction was relatively common among the SMDFs evaluated here. WGS furthermore showed that for 41 sites where samples collected pre- and mid-operation were positive for Listeria, Listeria isolates obtained were highly related (i.e., ≤10 hqSNP differences), suggesting that pre-operation sampling alone may be sufficient and more effective for detecting sites of Listeria persistence. Importantly, our data also showed that only 1/8 of facilities showed a significant decrease in Listeria prevalence over 1 year, indicating continued challenges with Listeria control in at least some SMDFs. We conclude that options for simplified Listeria EMPs (e.g., with a focus on pre-operation sampling, which allows for more rapid identification of likely persistence sites) may be valuable for improved Listeria control in SMDFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bolten
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Timothy T Lott
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Robert D Ralyea
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Anika Gianforte
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Aljosa Trmcic
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Renato H Orsi
- Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nicole H Martin
- Milk Quality Improvement Program, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Martin Wiedmann
- Food Safety Laboratory, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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6
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Rosa Rodrigues de Souza C, Bergis H, Ng P, Guillier L, Félix B, Leclercq A, Gnanou Besse N. Assessment of the relationship between the MLST genetic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes and growth under selective and non-selective conditions. Food Microbiol 2023; 114:104303. [PMID: 37290879 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes can grow under stressful conditions and contaminate various food categories. Progresss in DNA sequencing-based identification methods, such as multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) now allow for more accurate characterization of pathogens. L. monocytogenes MLST genetic diversity is reflected by the different prevalence of the "clonal complexes" (CCs) in foods or infections. Better understanding of the growth potentials of L. monocytogenes is essential for quantitative risk assessment and efficient detection across CCs genetic diversity. Using optical density measurements taken with an automated spectrophotometer, we compared the maximal growth rate and lag phase of 39 strains from 13 different CCs and various food origins, in 3 broths mimicking stresful food conditions (8 °C, aw 0.95 and pH5) and in ISO Standard enrichment broths (Half Fraser and Fraser). This is important as growth could influence risk through pathogen multiplication in food. Besides, enrichment problems could lead to a lack of detection of some CCs. Despite small differences highlighting natural intraspecific variability, our results show that growth performances of L. monocytogenes strains under the conditions tested in selective and non-selective broth do not appear to be strongly correlated to CCs and cannot explain higher CC "virulence" or prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rosa Rodrigues de Souza
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Laboratory for Food Safety (Anses, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94702 Maisons Alfort cedex, France; School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ-UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
| | - Hélène Bergis
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Laboratory for Food Safety (Anses, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94702 Maisons Alfort cedex, France.
| | - Patricia Ng
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Laboratory for Food Safety (Anses, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94702 Maisons Alfort cedex, France.
| | - Laurent Guillier
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, Risk Assessment Department, France.
| | - Benjamin Félix
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Laboratory for Food Safety (Anses, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94702 Maisons Alfort cedex, France.
| | | | - Nathalie Gnanou Besse
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Laboratory for Food Safety (Anses, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94702 Maisons Alfort cedex, France.
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7
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Wu J, McAuliffe O, O'Byrne CP. Trehalose transport occurs via TreB in Listeria monocytogenes and it influences biofilm development and acid resistance. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 394:110165. [PMID: 36933360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that can inhabit a diverse range of environmental niches. This is largely attributed to the high proportion of carbohydrate-specific phosphotransferase system (PTS) genes in its genome. Carbohydrates can be assimilated as sources of energy but additionally they can serve as niche-specific cues for L. monocytogenes to shape its global gene expression, in order to cope with anticipated stresses. To examine carbon source utilization among wild L. monocytogenes isolates and to understand underlying molecular mechanisms, a diverse collection of L. monocytogenes strains (n = 168) with whole genome sequence (WGS) data available was screened for the ability to grow in chemically defined media with different carbon sources. The majority of the strains grew in glucose, mannose, fructose, cellobiose, glycerol, trehalose, and sucrose. Maltose, lactose, and rhamnose supported slower growth while ribose did not support any growth. In contrast to other strains, strain1386, which belonged to clonal complex 5 (CC5), was unable to grow on trehalose as a sole carbon source. WGS data revealed that it carried a substitution (N352K) in a putative PTS EIIBC trehalose transporter, TreB, while this asparagine residue is conserved in other strains in this collection. Spontaneous mutants of strain 1386 that could grow in trehalose were found to harbour a reversion of the substitution in TreB. These results provide genetic evidence that TreB is responsible for trehalose uptake and that the N352 residue is essential for TreB activity. Moreover, reversion mutants also restored other unusual phenotypes that strain 1386 displayed, i.e. altered colony morphology, impaired biofilm development, and reduced acid resistance. Transcriptional analysis at stationary phase with buffered BHI media revealed that trehalose metabolism positively influences the transcription of genes encoding amino acid-based acid resistance mechanisms. In summary, our results demonstrated that N352 is key to the function of the sole trehalose transporter TreB in L. monocytogenes and suggest that trehalose metabolism alters physiology to favour biofilm development and acid stress resistance. Moreover, since strain 1386 is among the strains recommended by the European Union Reference Laboratory for conducting food challenge studies in order to determine whether or not L. monocytogenes can grow in food, these findings have important implications for food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialun Wu
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | | | - Conor P O'Byrne
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
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8
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Pervasive Listeria monocytogenes Is Common in the Norwegian Food System and Is Associated with Increased Prevalence of Stress Survival and Resistance Determinants. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0086122. [PMID: 36005805 PMCID: PMC9499026 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00861-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the diversity, distribution, persistence, and prevalence of stress survival and resistance genes of Listeria monocytogenes clones dominating in food processing environments in Norway, genome sequences from 769 L. monocytogenes isolates from food industry environments, foods, and raw materials (512 of which were sequenced in the present study) were subjected to whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST), single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and comparative genomic analyses. The data set comprised isolates from nine meat and six salmon processing facilities in Norway collected over a period of three decades. The most prevalent clonal complex (CC) was CC121, found in 10 factories, followed by CC7, CC8, and CC9, found in 7 factories each. Overall, 72% of the isolates were classified as persistent, showing 20 or fewer wgMLST allelic differences toward an isolate found in the same factory in a different calendar year. Moreover, over half of the isolates (56%) showed this level of genetic similarity toward an isolate collected from a different food processing facility. These were designated as pervasive strains, defined as clusters with the same level of genetic similarity as persistent strains but isolated from different factories. The prevalence of genetic determinants associated with increased survival in food processing environments, including heavy metal and biocide resistance determinants, stress response genes, and inlA truncation mutations, showed a highly significant increase among pervasive isolates but not among persistent isolates. Furthermore, these genes were significantly more prevalent among the isolates from food processing environments compared to in isolates from natural and rural environments (n = 218) and clinical isolates (n = 111) from Norway. IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes can persist in food processing environments for months to decades and spread through the food system by, e.g., contaminated raw materials. Knowledge of the distribution and diversity of L. monocytogenes is important in outbreak investigations and is essential to effectively track and control this pathogen in the food system. The present study presents a comprehensive overview of the prevalence of persistent clones and of the diversity of L. monocytogenes in Norwegian food processing facilities. The results demonstrate extensive spread of highly similar strains throughout the Norwegian food system, in that 56% of the 769 collected isolates from food processing factories belonged to clusters of L. monocytogenes identified in more than one facility. These strains were associated with an overall increase in the prevalence of plasmids and determinants of heavy metal and biocide resistance, as well as other genetic elements associated with stress survival mechanisms and persistence.
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Guidi F, Lorenzetti C, Centorotola G, Torresi M, Cammà C, Chiaverini A, Pomilio F, Blasi G. Atypical Serogroup IVb-v1 of Listeria monocytogenes Assigned to New ST2801, Widely Spread and Persistent in the Environment of a Pork-Meat Producing Plant of Central Italy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:930895. [PMID: 35832815 PMCID: PMC9271897 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.930895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we characterized 84 Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) strains having an atypical IVb-v1 profile and isolated in a meat producing plant of Central Italy. They were assigned to the new MLST type ST2801 (CC218). The new ST was widespread in the food-producing environment where it was able to persist for over a year even after cleaning and sanitation. Cluster analysis identified three main clusters genetically close to each other (0–22 allelic differences and 0–28 SNPs) from two different cgMLST types, suggesting a common source. The coexistence of closely related clusters over time could be the result of a different evolution path starting from a common ancestor first introduced in the plant and/or the consequence of the repetitive reintroduction of closely related clones probably by raw materials. All the strains presented several determinants for heavy metals resistance, stress response, biofilm production, and multidrug efflux pumps with no significant differences among the clusters. A total of 53 strains carried pLI100 and the j1776 plasmids, while in one strain, the pLM33 was found in addition to pLI100. Only the strains carrying plasmids presented cadA and cadC for cadmium resistance and the mco gene encoding a multicopper oxidase and gerN for an additional Na+/H+-K+ antiporter. All the strains presented a virulence profile including a full-length inlA gene and the additional LIPI-3. The isolation of a new ST with a large pattern of stress-adaptation genes and able to persist is an important contribution to deepening the current knowledge on the uncommon IVb-v1 and in general on the genomic diversity of Lm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Guidi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati,” Perugia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Fabrizia Guidi, ,
| | - Cinzia Lorenzetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati,” Perugia, Italy
| | - Gabriella Centorotola
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marina Torresi
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per Sequenze Genomiche di Microrganismi Patogeni, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alexandra Chiaverini
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuliana Blasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati,” Perugia, Italy
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10
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Sévellec Y, Ascencio E, Douarre PE, Félix B, Gal L, Garmyn D, Guillier L, Piveteau P, Roussel S. Listeria monocytogenes: Investigation of Fitness in Soil Does Not Support the Relevance of Ecotypes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:917588. [PMID: 35770178 PMCID: PMC9234652 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.917588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes the serious foodborne illness listeriosis. Although soil is a primary reservoir and a central habitat for Lm, little information is available on the genetic features underlying the fitness of Lm strains in this complex habitat. The aim of this study was to identify (i) correlations between the strains fitness in soil, their origin and their phylogenetic position (ii) identify genetic markers allowing Lm to survive in the soil. To this end, we assembled a balanced panel of 216 Lm strains isolated from three major ecological compartments (outdoor environment, animal hosts, and food) and from 33 clonal complexes occurring worldwide. The ability of the 216 strains to survive in soil was tested phenotypically. Hierarchical clustering identified three phenotypic groups according to the survival rate (SR): phenotype 1 “poor survivors” (SR < 2%), phenotype 2 “moderate survivors” (2% < SR < 5%) and phenotype 3 “good survivors” (SR > 5%). Survival in soil depended neither on strains’ origin nor on their phylogenetic position. Genome-wide-association studies demonstrated that a greater number of genes specifically associated with a good survival in soil was found in lineage II strains (57 genes) than in lineage I strains (28 genes). Soil fitness was mainly associated with variations in genes (i) coding membrane proteins, transcription regulators, and stress resistance genes in both lineages (ii) coding proteins related to motility and (iii) of the category “phage-related genes.” The cumulative effect of these small genomic variations resulted in significant increase of soil fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Sévellec
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eliette Ascencio
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Douarre
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benjamin Félix
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurent Gal
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Dominique Garmyn
- Agroecologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Dijon, France
| | - Laurent Guillier
- Risk Assessment Department, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Sophie Roussel
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
- *Correspondence: Sophie Roussel,
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11
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Di Ciccio P, Rubiola S, Panebianco F, Lomonaco S, Allard M, Bianchi DM, Civera T, Chiesa F. Biofilm formation and genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from meat and dairy industries located in Piedmont (Italy). Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 378:109784. [PMID: 35749910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is considered a major challenge for the food industry as it can persist for long periods in food processing plants by forming biofilms. The aims of this study were: i) to assess the biofilm producing ability of 57 Listeria monocytogenes isolates previously subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS); ii) to compare the levels of biofilm formation with the presence or absence of biofilm associated genes. To determine the presence or absence of a known set of biofilm associated genes, a comparative genomic analysis was performed on each strain. Among Listeria monocytogenes isolates, 58 %, 38.5 % and 3.5 % exhibited weak, moderate or strong biofilm production, respectively. No difference in biofilm production was observed between food and environmental isolates. The percentage of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from meat products (57 %) classified as moderate or strong biofilm producers was higher than the percentage obtained for strains isolated from dairy products (28 %). The presence of the Stress Survival Islet 1, the arsD stress gene and the truncated inlA protein was significantly associated with increased levels of biofilm. Combining biofilm phenotype with molecular and genotyping data may provide the opportunity to better understand the relationship between genes linked to biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Di Ciccio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy
| | - Selene Rubiola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy
| | - Felice Panebianco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy.
| | - Sara Lomonaco
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Marc Allard
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Daniela Manila Bianchi
- S.C. Sicurezza e Qualità degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Tiziana Civera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiesa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy
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