1
|
Andrews N, Unrath N, Wall P, Buckley JF, Fanning S. Prediction of Listeria monocytogenes Clonal Complexes from Multilocus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis Patterns Using a Machine Learning Approach. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2024. [PMID: 38963774 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is a molecular subtyping technique that remains useful for those without the resources to access whole genome sequencing for the tracking and tracing of bacterial contaminants. Unlike techniques such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, MLVA did not emerge as a standardized subtyping method for Listeria monocytogenes, and as a result, there is no reference database of virulent or food-associated MLVA subtypes as there is for MLST-based clonal complexes (CCs). Having previously shown the close congruence of a 5-loci MLVA scheme with MLST, a predictive model was created using the XGBoost machine learning (ML) technique, which enabled the prediction of CCs from MLVA patterns with ∼85% (±4%) accuracy. As well as validating the model on existing data, a straightforward update protocol was simulated for if and when previously unseen subtypes might arise. This article illustrates how ML techniques can be applied with elementary coding skills to add value to previous-generation molecular subtyping data in-built food processing environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Andrews
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Natalia Unrath
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick Wall
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James F Buckley
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mendonça R, Furtado R, Coelho A, Correia CB, Suyarko E, Borges V, Gomes JP, Pista A, Batista R. Raw milk cheeses from Beira Baixa, Portugal-A contributive study for the microbiological hygiene and safety assessment. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1759-1772. [PMID: 38622468 PMCID: PMC11153484 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01332-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to specific bacterial microbiota, raw milk cheeses have appreciated sensory properties. However, they may pose a threat to consumer safety due to potential pathogens presence. This study evaluated the microbiological contamination of 98 raw milk cheeses from Beira Baixa, Portugal. Presence and enumeration of Coagulase Positive Staphylococci (CPS), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., pathogenic Escherichia coli, and indicator microorganisms (non-pathogenic E. coli and Listeria spp.) was attained. E. coli antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was also evaluated. PCR and/or Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to characterize E. coli, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes isolates. Sixteen cheeses (16.3%) were classified as Satisfactory, 59 (60.2%) as Borderline and 23 (23.5%) as Unsatisfactory/Potential Injurious to Health. L. monocytogenes, CPS > 104 cfu g-1, Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and Salmonella spp. were detected in 4.1%, 6.1%, 3.1% and 1.0% of the samples, respectively. Listeria innocua (4.1%) and E. coli > 104 cfu g-1 (16.3%) were also detected. AMR E. coli was detected in 23/98 (23.5%) of the cheese samples, of which two were multidrug resistant. WGS identified genotypes already associated to human disease and Listeria spp. cluster analysis indicated that cheese contamination might be related with noncompliance with Good Hygiene Practices during cheese production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Mendonça
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Rosália Furtado
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anabela Coelho
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Belo Correia
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena Suyarko
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
- NOVA School of Science and Technology, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Vítor Borges
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University-Lisbon University Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Angela Pista
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Batista
- Department of Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fotopoulou ET, Jenkins C, Painset A, Amar C. Listeria monocytogenes: the silent assassin. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38506266 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001800] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeriosis is a foodborne infection in humans caused by Listeria monocytogenes. Consumption of contaminated food can lead to severe infection in vulnerable patients, that can be fatal. Clinical manifestations include sepsis and meningitis, and in pregnancy-associated infection, miscarriage and stillbirth. Diagnosis is confirmed by culture and identification of the pathogen from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal swab, placenta or amniotic fluid. Treatment regimens recommend amoxicillin, ampicillin or an aminoglycoside. Virulence factors mediate bacterial adhesion and invasion of gut epithelial cells. Other factors mediate biofilm formation and tolerance to low temperatures and high salt concentrations facilitating persistence and survival in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily T Fotopoulou
- UK Health Security Agency, Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
- National Institute of Health & Care Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5TR, UK
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Claire Jenkins
- UK Health Security Agency, Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
- National Institute of Health & Care Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5TR, UK
| | - Anaïs Painset
- UK Health Security Agency, Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Corinne Amar
- UK Health Security Agency, Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kujat Choy S, Neumann EM, Romero-Barrios P, Tamber S. Contribution of Food to the Human Health Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2024; 21:71-82. [PMID: 38099924 PMCID: PMC10877391 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0099] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on the human health burden of AMR infections is unknown. The aim of this review was to evaluate and summarize the scientific literature investigating all potential sources of human AMR infections related to food. A literature search was conducted in Embase (Ovid) and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases to identify appropriate studies published between 2010 and 2023. The results of the search were reviewed and categorized based on the primary subject matter. Key concepts from each category are described from the perspective of food safety as a public health objective. The search yielded 3457 references, 1921 remained after removal of duplicates, abstracts, editorials, comments, notes, retractions, and errata. No properly designed source attribution studies were identified, but 383 journal articles were considered relevant and were classified into eight subcategories and discussed in the context of four streams of evidence: prevalence data, epidemiological studies, outbreak investigations and human health impact estimates. There was sufficient evidence to conclude that AMR genes, whether present in pathogenic or nonpathogenic bacteria, constitute a foodborne hazard. The level of consumer risk owing to this hazard cannot be accurately estimated based on the data summarized here. Key gaps in the literature are noted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Kujat Choy
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Eva-Marie Neumann
- Library Services Division, Corporate Services Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Pablo Romero-Barrios
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sandeep Tamber
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Bolton D, Bover‐Cid S, Chemaly M, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Nonno R, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Fox E, Gosling R(B, Gil BM, Møretrø T, Stessl B, da Silva Felício MT, Messens W, Simon AC, Alvarez‐Ordóñez A. Persistence of microbiological hazards in food and feed production and processing environments. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8521. [PMID: 38250499 PMCID: PMC10797485 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (in the meat, fish and seafood, dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors), Salmonella enterica (in the feed, meat, egg and low moisture food sectors) and Cronobacter sakazakii (in the low moisture food sector) were identified as the bacterial food safety hazards most relevant to public health that are associated with persistence in the food and feed processing environment (FFPE). There is a wide range of subtypes of these hazards involved in persistence in the FFPE. While some specific subtypes are more commonly reported as persistent, it is currently not possible to identify universal markers (i.e. genetic determinants) for this trait. Common risk factors for persistence in the FFPE are inadequate zoning and hygiene barriers; lack of hygienic design of equipment and machines; and inadequate cleaning and disinfection. A well-designed environmental sampling and testing programme is the most effective strategy to identify contamination sources and detect potentially persistent hazards. The establishment of hygienic barriers and measures within the food safety management system, during implementation of hazard analysis and critical control points, is key to prevent and/or control bacterial persistence in the FFPE. Once persistence is suspected in a plant, a 'seek-and-destroy' approach is frequently recommended, including intensified monitoring, the introduction of control measures and the continuation of the intensified monitoring. Successful actions triggered by persistence of L. monocytogenes are described, as well as interventions with direct bactericidal activity. These interventions could be efficient if properly validated, correctly applied and verified under industrial conditions. Perspectives are provided for performing a risk assessment for relevant combinations of hazard and food sector to assess the relative public health risk that can be associated with persistence, based on bottom-up and top-down approaches. Knowledge gaps related to bacterial food safety hazards associated with persistence in the FFPE and priorities for future research are provided.
Collapse
|
7
|
Fotopoulou ET, Jenkins C, Barker CR, Painset A, Didelot X, Simbo A, Douglas A, Godbole G, Jorgensen F, Gharbia S, McLauchlin† J. Genomic epidemiology of the clinically dominant clonal complex 1 in the Listeria monocytogenes population in the UK. Microb Genom 2024; 10:001155. [PMID: 38165396 PMCID: PMC10868620 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001155] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen, typically affecting the elderly, immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the population structure of L. monocytogenes clonal complex 1 (CC1) in the UK and describe the genomic epidemiology of this clinically significant CC. We interrogated a working dataset of 4073 sequences of L. monocytogenes isolated between January 2015 and December 2020 from human clinical specimens, food and/or food-production environments. A minimum spanning tree was reconstructed to determine the population structure of L. monocytogenes in the UK. Subsequent analysis focused on L. monocytogenes CC1, as the cause of the highest proportion of invasive listeriosis in humans. Sequencing data was integrated with metadata on food and environmental isolates, and information from patient questionnaires, including age, sex and clinical outcomes. All isolates either belonged to lineage I (n=1299/4073, 32%) or lineage II (n=2774/4073, 68%), with clinical isolates from human cases more likely to belong to lineage I (n=546/928, 59%) and food isolates more likely to belong to lineage II (n=2352/3067, 77%). Of the four largest CCs, CC1 (n=237) had the highest proportion of isolates from human cases of disease (CC1 n=160/237, 67.5 %; CC121 n=13/843, 2 %; CC9 n=53/360, 15 %; CC2 n=69/339, 20%). Within CC1, most cases were female (n=95/160, 59%, P=0.01771) and the highest proportion of cases were in people >60 years old (39/95, 41%, P=1.314×10-6) with a high number of them aged 20-39 years old (n=35/95, 37%) most linked to pregnancy-related listeriosis (n=29/35, 83%). Most of the male cases were in men aged over 60 years old (40/65, 62%), and most of the fatal cases in both males and females were identified in this age group (42/55, 76%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed 23 5 SNP single linkage clusters comprising 80/237 (34 %) isolates with cluster sizes ranging from 2 to 19. Five 5 SNP clusters comprised isolates from human cases and an implicated food item. Expanding the analysis to 25 SNP single linkage clusters resolved an additional two clusters linking human cases to a potential food vehicle. Analysis of demographic and clinical outcome data identified CC1 as a clinically significant cause of invasive listeriosis in the elderly population and in women of child-bearing age. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the population structure of CC1 in the UK comprised small, sparsely populated genomic clusters. Only clusters containing isolates from an implicated food vehicle, or food processing or farming environments, were resolved, emphasizing the need for clinical, food and animal-health agencies to share sequencing data in real time, and the importance of a One Health approach to public-health surveillance of listeriosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily T. Fotopoulou
- Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, UK Health Security Agency Food, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Claire Jenkins
- Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, UK Health Security Agency Food, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Clare R. Barker
- Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, UK Health Security Agency Food, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Anais Painset
- Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, UK Health Security Agency Food, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Xavier Didelot
- Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Health Protection Research Unit in Genomics and Enabling Data, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ameze Simbo
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Amy Douglas
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Gauri Godbole
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Frieda Jorgensen
- Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Saheer Gharbia
- Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, UK Health Security Agency Food, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
- Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Jim McLauchlin†
- Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division, UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ravindhiran R, Sivarajan K, Sekar JN, Murugesan R, Dhandapani K. Listeria monocytogenes an Emerging Pathogen: a Comprehensive Overview on Listeriosis, Virulence Determinants, Detection, and Anti-Listerial Interventions. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2231-2251. [PMID: 37479828 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, the third most deleterious zoonotic pathogen, is a major causative agent of animal and human listeriosis, an infection related to the consumption of contaminated food products. Even though, this pathogen has been responsible for the outbreaks of foodborne infections in the early 1980s, the major outbreaks have been reported during the past two decades. Listeriosis infection in the host is a rare but life-threatening disease with major public health and economic implications. Extensive reports on listeriosis outbreaks are associated with milk and milk products, meat and meat products, and fresh produce. This bacterium can adapt to any environmental and stress conditions, making it a prime causative agent for major foodborne diseases. The pathogen could survive an antibiotic treatment and persist in the host cell, thereby escaping the standard diagnostic practices. The current review strives to provide concise information on the epidemiology, serotypes, and pathogenesis of the L. monocytogenes to decipher the knowledge on the endurance of the pathogen inside the host and food products as a vehicle for Listeria contaminations. In addition, various detection methods for Listeria species from food samples and frontline regimens of L. monocytogenes treatment have also been discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ravindhiran
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Karthiga Sivarajan
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Jothi Nayaki Sekar
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Rajeswari Murugesan
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Kavitha Dhandapani
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Halbedel S, Sperle I, Lachmann R, Kleta S, Fischer MA, Wamp S, Holzer A, Lüth S, Murr L, Freitag C, Espenhain L, Stephan R, Pietzka A, Schjørring S, Bloemberg G, Wenning M, Al Dahouk S, Wilking H, Flieger A. Large Multicountry Outbreak of Invasive Listeriosis by a Listeria monocytogenes ST394 Clone Linked to Smoked Rainbow Trout, 2020 to 2021. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0352022. [PMID: 37036341 PMCID: PMC10269727 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03520-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has revolutionized surveillance of infectious diseases. Disease outbreaks can now be detected with high precision, and correct attribution of infection sources has been improved. Listeriosis, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is a foodborne disease with a high case fatality rate and a large proportion of outbreak-related cases. Timely recognition of listeriosis outbreaks and precise allocation of food sources are important to prevent further infections and to promote public health. We report the WGS-based identification of a large multinational listeriosis outbreak with 55 cases that affected Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland during 2020 and 2021. Clinical isolates formed a highly clonal cluster (called Ny9) based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Routine and ad hoc investigations of food samples identified L. monocytogenes isolates from smoked rainbow trout filets from a Danish producer grouping with the Ny9 cluster. Patient interviews confirmed consumption of rainbow trout as the most likely infection source. The Ny9 cluster was caused by a MLST sequence type (ST) ST394 clone belonging to molecular serogroup IIa, forming a distinct clade within molecular serogroup IIa strains. Analysis of the Ny9 genome revealed clpY, dgcB, and recQ inactivating mutations, but phenotypic characterization of several virulence-associated traits of a representative Ny9 isolate showed that the outbreak strain had the same pathogenic potential as other serogroup IIa strains. Our report demonstrates that international food trade can cause multicountry outbreaks that necessitate cross-border outbreak collaboration. It also corroborates the relevance of ready-to-eat smoked fish products as causes for listeriosis. IMPORTANCE Listeriosis is a severe infectious disease in humans and characterized by an exceptionally high case fatality rate. The disease is transmitted through consumption of food contaminated by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Outbreaks of listeriosis often occur but can be recognized and stopped through implementation of whole-genome sequencing-based pathogen surveillance systems. We here describe the detection and management of a large listeriosis outbreak in Germany and three neighboring countries. This outbreak was caused by rainbow trout filet, which was contaminated by a L. monocytogenes clone belonging to sequence type ST394. This work further expands our knowledge on the genetic diversity and transmission routes of an important foodborne pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Halbedel
- FG11–Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ida Sperle
- FG35–Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- ECDC Fellowship Program, Field Epidemiology path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Raskit Lachmann
- FG35–Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kleta
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin A. Fischer
- FG11–Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Sabrina Wamp
- FG11–Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Alexandra Holzer
- FG35–Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lüth
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Larissa Murr
- State Institute for Food, Food Hygiene and Cosmetics, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christin Freitag
- Institute for Food of Animal Origin, Rhineland–Palatinate State Investigation Office, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Laura Espenhain
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ariane Pietzka
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne Schjørring
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guido Bloemberg
- Swiss National Center for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mareike Wenning
- State Institute for Food, Food Hygiene and Cosmetics, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Wilking
- FG35–Division for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antje Flieger
- FG11–Division of Enteropathogenic bacteria and Legionella, Consultant Laboratory for Listeria, Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Félix B, Capitaine K, Te S, Felten A, Gillot G, Feurer C, van den Bosch T, Torresi M, Sréterné Lancz Z, Delannoy S, Brauge T, Midelet G, Leblanc JC, Roussel S. Identification by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR of 30 Major Circulating Listeria monocytogenes Clonal Complexes in Europe. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0395422. [PMID: 37158749 PMCID: PMC10269651 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03954-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes a foodborne illness, listeriosis. Most strains can be classified into major clonal complexes (CCs) that account for the majority of outbreaks and sporadic cases in Europe. In addition to the 20 CCs known to account for the majority of human and animal clinical cases, 10 CCs are frequently reported in food production, thereby posing a serious challenge for the agrifood industry. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these 30 major CCs. The high-throughput real-time PCR assay presented here provides accurate identification of these 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations, along with the molecular serogroup of a strain. Based on the BioMark high-throughput real-time PCR system, our assay analyzes 46 strains against 40 real-time PCR arrays in a single experiment. This European study (i) designed the assay from a broad panel of 3,342 L. monocytogenes genomes, (ii) tested its sensitivity and specificity on 597 sequenced strains collected from 24 European countries, and (iii) evaluated its performance in the typing of 526 strains collected during surveillance activities. The assay was then optimized for conventional multiplex real-time PCR for easy implementation in food laboratories. It has already been used for outbreak investigations. It represents a key tool for assisting food laboratories to establish strain relatedness with human clinical strains during outbreak investigations and for helping food business operators by improving their microbiological management plans. IMPORTANCE Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is the reference method for Listeria monocytogenes typing but is expensive and takes time to perform, from 3 to 5 days for laboratories that outsource sequencing. Thirty major MLST clonal complexes (CCs) are circulating in the food chain and are currently identifiable only by sequencing. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and reliable method to identify these CCs. The method presented here enables the rapid identification, by real-time PCR, of 30 CCs and eight genetic subdivisions within four CCs, splitting each CC into two distinct subpopulations. The assay was then optimized on different conventional multiplex real-time PCR systems for easy implementation in food laboratories. The two assays will be used for frontline identification of L. monocytogenes isolates prior to whole-genome sequencing. Such assays are of great interest for all food industry stakeholders and public agencies for tracking L. monocytogenes food contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Félix
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Karine Capitaine
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandrine Te
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Arnaud Felten
- ANSES, Ploufragan/Plouzané/Niort Laboratory, Viral Genetics and Bio-Security Unit, Université Européenne de Bretagne, Ploufragan, France
| | | | - Carole Feurer
- IFIP–The French Pig and Pork Institute, Department of Fresh and Processed Meat, Le Rheu, France
| | - Tijs van den Bosch
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Department of Bacteriology, Molecular Technology and Antimicrobial Resistance, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Torresi
- National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise “G. Caporale” Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy
| | - Zsuzsanna Sréterné Lancz
- Microbiological National Reference Laboratory, National Food Chain Safety Office, Food Chain Safety Laboratory Directorate, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, IdentyPath Platform, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Thomas Brauge
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, Bacteriology and Parasitology of Fishery and Aquaculture Products Unit, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Graziella Midelet
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, Bacteriology and Parasitology of Fishery and Aquaculture Products Unit, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
| | - Jean-Charles Leblanc
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sophie Roussel
- ANSES, European Union Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen that can cause severe invasive infections upon ingestion with contaminated food. Clinically, listerial disease, or listeriosis, most often presents as bacteremia, meningitis or meningoencephalitis, and pregnancy-associated infections manifesting as miscarriage or neonatal sepsis. Invasive listeriosis is life-threatening and a main cause of foodborne illness leading to hospital admissions in Western countries. Sources of contamination can be identified through international surveillance systems for foodborne bacteria and strains' genetic data sharing. Large-scale whole genome studies have increased our knowledge on the diversity and evolution of L. monocytogenes, while recent pathophysiological investigations have improved our mechanistic understanding of listeriosis. In this article, we present an overview of human listeriosis with particular focus on relevant features of the causative bacterium, epidemiology, risk groups, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merel M Koopmans
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs C Brouwer
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - José A Vázquez-Boland
- Infection Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School (Biomedical Sciences), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Minarovičová J, Adriana V, Zuzana K, Andrezál M, Hana D, Eva K. Tracing of persistent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ewe's milk farm. Lett Appl Microbiol 2023; 76:6988184. [PMID: 36695431 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad006] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Ewe's milk farm production is permanently associated with the risk of contamination by pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. In the present study, the prevalence and diversity of L. monocytogenes strains repeatedly isolated from tank ewe's milk and the milking environment on a farm in Slovakia during a prolonged period were investigated to identify the source of potentially persistent contamination. A total of 140 samples along the milk production chain were collected during an 18-month period. From all these samples, 45 samples were found L. monocytogenes positive with 90.3% positivity of tank milk samples (28 positive samples from 31 analysed). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiling resulted in strain discrimination into six profiles with one pulsotype (NS1) corresponding to MLST-ST14 being predominant. A total of 17 proportionally selected L. monocytogenes isolates, including 11 NS1/ST14 isolates, were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Resulted data were used to compare the genomes diversity and to confirm the persistent contamination when <10 allelic differences threshold in cgMLST analysis was applied. The source of persistent contamination was localized inside the milking apparatus, probably in shelters that were very difficult to clean. Despite great efforts, the ewe's milk contamination could not be eliminated during the reporting period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Minarovičová
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Véghová Adriana
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kubicová Zuzana
- State Veterinary and Food Institute, Jánoškova 1611/58, 026 01 Dolný Kubín, Slovakia
| | - Michal Andrezál
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovakia
| | - Drahovská Hana
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava 4, Slovakia.,Science Park, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kaclíková Eva
- Food Research Institute, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Priemyselná 4, 82475 Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cardenas-Alvarez MX, Zeng H, Webb BT, Mani R, Muñoz M, Bergholz TM. Comparative Genomics of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from Ruminant Listeriosis Cases in the Midwest United States. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0157922. [PMID: 36314928 PMCID: PMC9769944 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01579-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ruminants are a well-known reservoir for Listeria monocytogenes. In addition to asymptomatic carriage of the pathogen, ruminants can also acquire listeriosis and develop clinical manifestations in the form of neurologic or fetal infections, similar to those occurring in humans. Genomic characterization of ruminant listeriosis cases in Europe have identified lineage 1 and 2 strains associated with infection, as well as clonal complexes (CCs) that are commonly isolated from human cases of listeriosis; however, there is little information on the diversity of L. monocytogenes from ruminant listeriosis in the United States. In this study, we characterized and compared 73 L. monocytogenes isolates from ruminant listeriosis cases from the Midwest and the Upper Great Plains collected from 2015 to 2020. Using whole-genome sequence data, we classified the isolates and identified key virulence factors, stress-associated genes, and mobile genetic elements within our data set. Our isolates belonged to three different lineages: 31% to lineage 1, 53% to lineage 2, and 15% to lineage 3. Lineage 1 and 3 isolates were associated with neurologic infections, while lineage 2 showed a greater frequency of fetal infections. Additionally, the presence of mobile elements, virulence-associated genes, and stress and antimicrobial resistance genes was evaluated. These genetic elements are responsible for most of the subgroup-specific features and may play a key role in the spread of hypervirulent clones, including the spread of hypervirulent CC1 clone commonly associated with disease in humans, and may explain the increased frequency of certain clones in the area. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes affects humans and animals, causing encephalitis, septicemia, and abortions, among other clinical outcomes. Ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep are the main carriers contributing to the maintenance and dispersal of this pathogen in the farm environment. Contamination of food products from farms is of concern not only because many L. monocytogenes genotypes found there are associated with human listeriosis but also as a cause of significant economic losses when livestock and food products are affected. Ruminant listeriosis has been characterized extensively in Europe; however, there is limited information about the genetic diversity of these cases in the United States. Identification of subgroups with a greater ability to spread may facilitate surveillance and management of listeriosis and contribute to a better understanding of the genome diversity of this pathogen, providing insights into the molecular epidemiology of ruminant listeriosis in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria X. Cardenas-Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Hui Zeng
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Brett T. Webb
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Rinosh Mani
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Teresa M. Bergholz
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Muchaamba F, von Ah U, Stephan R, Stevens MJA, Tasara T. Deciphering the global roles of Cold shock proteins in Listeria monocytogenes nutrient metabolism and stress tolerance. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1057754. [PMID: 36605504 PMCID: PMC9808409 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1057754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) accounts for serious public health and food safety problems owing to its stress resilience and pathogenicity. Based on their regulatory involvement in global gene expression events, cold-shock domain family proteins (Csps) are crucial in expression of various stress fitness and virulence phenotypes in bacteria. Lm possesses three Csps (CspA, CspB, and CspD) whose regulatory roles in the context of the genetic diversity of this bacterium are not yet fully understood. We examined the impacts of Csps deficiency on Lm nutrient metabolism and stress tolerance using a set of csp deletion mutants generated in different genetic backgrounds. Phenotype microarrays (PM) analysis showed that the absence of Csps in ∆cspABD reduces carbon (C-) source utilization capacity and increases Lm sensitivity to osmotic, pH, various chemical, and antimicrobial stress conditions. Single and double csp deletion mutants in different Lm genetic backgrounds were used to further dissect the roles of individual Csps in these phenotypes. Selected PM-based observations were further corroborated through targeted phenotypic assays, confirming that Csps are crucial in Lm for optimal utilization of various C-sources including rhamnose and glucose as well as tolerance against NaCl, β-phenyethylamine (PEA), and food relevant detergent stress conditions. Strain and genetic lineage background-based differences, division of labour, epistasis, and functional redundancies among the Csps were uncovered with respect to their roles in various processes including C-source utilization, cold, and PEA stress resistance. Finally, targeted transcriptome analysis was performed, revealing the activation of csp gene expression under defined stress conditions and the impact of Csps on expression regulation of selected rhamnose utilization genes. Overall, our study shows that Csps play important roles in nutrient utilization and stress responses in Lm strains, contributing to traits that are central to the public health and food safety impacts of this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Muchaamba
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Francis Muchaamba,
| | | | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc J. A. Stevens
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Deciphering the virulence potential of Listeria monocytogenes in the Norwegian meat and salmon processing industry by combining whole genome sequencing and in vitro data. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 383:109962. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
16
|
Varsaki A, Ortiz S, Santorum P, López P, López-Alonso V, Hernández M, Abad D, Rodríguez-Grande J, Ocampo-Sosa AA, Martínez-Suárez JV. Prevalence and Population Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Dairy Cattle Farms in the Cantabria Region of Spain. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182477. [PMID: 36139336 PMCID: PMC9495194 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The origin and prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes was studied in dairy cattle farms in order to examine its diversity and determine its possible persistence in manure. The utilization of manure for agricultural purposes is common in many countries. While properly treated and managed manure is an effective and safe fertilizer, foodborne illness outbreaks can occur, as many of the most prominent foodborne pathogens are carried by healthy livestock. It is, therefore, necessary to study the origin and persistence of zoonotic agents in general and of L. monocytogenes in particular, in order to avoid recirculation in farms and reduce risk for human populations. Abstract Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. Here we show the prevalence and transmission of L. monocytogenes in dairy farms in the Cantabria region, on the northern coast of Spain. A total of 424 samples was collected from 14 dairy farms (5 organic and 9 conventional) and 211 L. monocytogenes isolates were recovered following conventional microbiological methods. There were no statistically significant differences in antimicrobial resistance ratios between organic and conventional farms. A clonal relationship among the isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and 64 different pulsotypes were obtained. Most isolates (89%, n = 187) were classified as PCR serogroup IVb by using a multiplex PCR assay. In this case, 45 isolates of PCR serogroup IVb were whole genome-sequenced to perform a further analysis at genomic level. In silico MLST analysis showed the presence of 12 sequence types (ST), of which ST1, ST54 and ST666 were the most common. Our data indicate that the environment of cattle farms retains a high incidence of L. monocytogenes, including subtypes involved in human listeriosis reports and outbreaks. This pathogen is shed in the feces and could easily colonize dairy products, as a result of fecal contamination. Effective herd and manure management are needed in order to prevent possible outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasia Varsaki
- Centro de Investigación y Formación Agrarias (CIFA), 39600 Muriedas, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.V.M.-S.)
| | - Sagrario Ortiz
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Santorum
- Centro de Investigación y Formación Agrarias (CIFA), 39600 Muriedas, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Hernández
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 47071 Valladolid, Spain
| | - David Abad
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 47071 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jorge Rodríguez-Grande
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Joaquín V. Martínez-Suárez
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.V.M.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Palma F, Radomski N, Guérin A, Sévellec Y, Félix B, Bridier A, Soumet C, Roussel S, Guillier L. Genomic elements located in the accessory repertoire drive the adaptation to biocides in Listeria monocytogenes strains from different ecological niches. Food Microbiol 2022; 106:103757. [PMID: 35690455 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103757] [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: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In response to the massive use of biocides for controlling Listeria monocytogenes (hereafter Lm) contaminations along the food chain, strains showing biocide tolerance emerged. Here, accessory genomic elements were associated with biocide tolerance through pangenome-wide associations performed on 197 Lm strains from different lineages, ecological, geographical and temporal origins. Mobile elements, including prophage-related loci, the Tn6188_qacH transposon and pLMST6_emrC plasmid, were widespread across lineage I and II food strains and associated with tolerance to benzalkonium-chloride (BC), a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) widely used in food processing. The pLMST6_emrC was also associated with tolerance to another QAC, the didecyldimethylammonium-chloride, displaying a pleiotropic effect. While no associations were detected for chemically reactive biocides (alcohols and chlorines), genes encoding for cell-surface proteins were associated with BC or polymeric biguanide tolerance. The latter was restricted to lineage I strains from animal and the environment. In conclusion, different genetic markers, with polygenic nature or not, appear to have driven the Lm adaptation to biocide, especially in food strains but also from animal and the environment. These markers could aid to monitor and predict the spread of biocide tolerant Lm genotypes across different ecological niches, finally reducing the risk of such strains in food industrial settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Palma
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Nicolas Radomski
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alizée Guérin
- Fougères Laboratory, Antibiotics, Biocides, Residues and Resistance Unit, ANSES, Fougères, France
| | - Yann Sévellec
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benjamin Félix
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Arnaud Bridier
- Fougères Laboratory, Antibiotics, Biocides, Residues and Resistance Unit, ANSES, Fougères, France
| | - Christophe Soumet
- Fougères Laboratory, Antibiotics, Biocides, Residues and Resistance Unit, ANSES, Fougères, France
| | - Sophie Roussel
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurent Guillier
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of food safety, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France; Maisons-Alfort Risk Assessment Department, University Paris-Est, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Camargo AC, McFarland AP, Woodward JJ, Nero LA. The magnitude of cell invasion and cell-to-cell spread of Listeria monocytogenes is correlated with serotype-specific traits. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 382:109906. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
19
|
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.
Collapse
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,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wu J, NicAogáin K, McAuliffe O, Jordan K, O’Byrne C. Phylogenetic and Phenotypic Analyses of a Collection of Food and Clinical Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Reveal Loss of Function of Sigma B from Several Clonal Complexes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0005122. [PMID: 35481758 PMCID: PMC9128516 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00051-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the stress responses of the important foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, we collected 139 strains (meat, n = 25; dairy, n = 10; vegetable, n = 8; seafood, n = 14; mixed food, n = 4; and food processing environments, n = 78), mostly isolated in Ireland, and subjected them to whole-genome sequencing. These strains were compared to 25 Irish clinical isolates and 4 well-studied reference strains. Core genome and pan-genome analysis confirmed a highly clonal and deeply branched population structure. Multilocus sequence typing showed that this collection contained a diverse range of strains from L. monocytogenes lineages I and II. Several groups of isolates with highly similar genome content were traced to single or multiple food business operators, providing evidence of strain persistence or prevalence, respectively. Phenotypic screening assays for tolerance to salt stress and resistance to acid stress revealed variants within several clonal complexes that were phenotypically distinct. Five of these phenotypic outliers were found to carry mutations in the sigB operon, which encodes the stress-inducible sigma factor sigma B. Transcriptional analysis confirmed that three of the strains that carried mutations in sigB, rsbV, or rsbU had reduced SigB activity, as predicted. These strains exhibited increased tolerance to salt stress and displayed decreased resistance to low pH stress. Overall, this study shows that loss-of-function mutations in the sigB operon are comparatively common in field isolates, probably reflecting the cost of the general stress response to reproductive fitness in this pathogen. IMPORTANCE The bacterial foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes frequently contaminates various categories of food products and is able to cause life-threatening infections when ingested by humans. Thus, it is important to control the growth of this bacterium in food by understanding the mechanisms that allow its proliferation under suboptimal conditions. In this study, intraspecies heterogeneity in stress response was observed across a collection consisting of mainly Irish L. monocytogenes isolates. Through comparisons of genome sequence and phenotypes observed, we identified three strains with impairment of the general stress response regulator SigB. Two of these strains are used widely in food challenge studies for evaluating the growth potential of L. monocytogenes. Given that loss of SigB function is associated with atypical phenotypic properties, the use of these strains in food challenge studies should be re-evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialun Wu
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kerrie NicAogáin
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Kieran Jordan
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Conor O’Byrne
- Bacterial Stress Response Group, Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
A European-wide dataset to uncover adaptive traits of Listeria monocytogenes to diverse ecological niches. Sci Data 2022; 9:190. [PMID: 35484273 PMCID: PMC9050667 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness. In the nature-to-human transmission route, Lm can prosper in various ecological niches. Soil and decaying organic matter are its primary reservoirs. Certain clonal complexes (CCs) are over-represented in food production and represent a challenge to food safety. To gain new understanding of Lm adaptation mechanisms in food, the genetic background of strains found in animals and environment should be investigated in comparison to that of food strains. Twenty-one partners, including food, environment, veterinary and public health laboratories, constructed a dataset of 1484 genomes originating from Lm strains collected in 19 European countries. This dataset encompasses a large number of CCs occurring worldwide, covers many diverse habitats and is balanced between ecological compartments and geographic regions. The dataset presented here will contribute to improve our understanding of Lm ecology and should aid in the surveillance of Lm. This dataset provides a basis for the discovery of the genetic traits underlying Lm adaptation to different ecological niches. Measurement(s) | whole genome sequencing | Technology Type(s) | Illumina Sequencing | Factor Type(s) | Multi-locus sequence types • Geographic location • Animal associated environment isolates • Food product and food production environment isolates | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Listeria monocytogenes | Sample Characteristic - Environment | Farm • Ruminant • Agricultural soil • Wild animals • food processing building • dairy food product • meat or meat product (from mammal) (us cfr) • chicken meat food product • fish food product • vegetable or vegetable product (us cfr) | Sample Characteristic - Location | Europe |
Collapse
|
22
|
Palma F, Mangone I, Janowicz A, Moura A, Chiaverini A, Torresi M, Garofolo G, Criscuolo A, Brisse S, Di Pasquale A, Cammà C, Radomski N. In vitro and in silico parameters for precise cgMLST typing of Listeria monocytogenes. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:235. [PMID: 35346021 PMCID: PMC8961897 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Whole genome sequencing analyzed by core genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) is widely used in surveillance of the pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Given the heterogeneity of available bioinformatics tools to define cgMLST alleles, our aim was to identify parameters influencing the precision of cgMLST profiles. Methods We used three L. monocytogenes reference genomes from different phylogenetic lineages and assessed the impact of in vitro (i.e. tested genomes, successive platings, replicates of DNA extraction and sequencing) and in silico parameters (i.e. targeted depth of coverage, depth of coverage, breadth of coverage, assembly metrics, cgMLST workflows, cgMLST completeness) on cgMLST precision made of 1748 core loci. Six cgMLST workflows were tested, comprising assembly-based (BIGSdb, INNUENDO, GENPAT, SeqSphere and BioNumerics) and assembly-free (i.e. kmer-based MentaLiST) allele callers. Principal component analyses and generalized linear models were used to identify the most impactful parameters on cgMLST precision. Results The isolate’s genetic background, cgMLST workflows, cgMLST completeness, as well as depth and breadth of coverage were the parameters that impacted most on cgMLST precision (i.e. identical alleles against reference circular genomes). All workflows performed well at ≥40X of depth of coverage, with high loci detection (> 99.54% for all, except for BioNumerics with 97.78%) and showed consistent cluster definitions using the reference cut-off of ≤7 allele differences. Conclusions This highlights that bioinformatics workflows dedicated to cgMLST allele calling are largely robust when paired-end reads are of high quality and when the sequencing depth is ≥40X. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08437-4.
Collapse
|
23
|
Cheng Y, Dong Q, Liu Y, Liu H, Zhang H, Wang X. Systematic review of Listeria monocytogenes from food and clinical samples in Chinese mainland from 2010 to 2019. FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen, can cause human listeriosis. Listeriosis is a potentially fatal gastrointestinal illness, which is closely related to the spread of food to humans. We review the literature published during 2010 to 2019 to better understand the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in food products, incidence of human listeriosis, and their characteristics in Chinese mainland. We found the main sequence types (STs) strains from foods are similar globally, and the prevalence of L. monocytogenes from raw meat was the highest among all food products. The most common STs in food products and clinical cases were ST9 (serogroup Ⅰ.2) strains and ST87 (serogroup Ⅱ.2) strains, respectively. The ST87 strains being the most common STs of clinical cases might be related to the exist of Listeria pathogenicity islands 4 genes and Chinese eating habits for ready to eat foods, among which the prevalence of ST87 strain was the highest in ready to eat food. Therefore, more research should be conducted to explore the reasons for the L. monocytogenes isolates differences in food and clinic sources. Meanwhile, more research should be conducted to explore the reasons for differences among the L. monocytogenes isolates in food and clinical sources.
Collapse
|
24
|
WGS analysis of Listeria monocytogenes from rural, urban, and farm environments in Norway: Genetic diversity, persistence, and relation to clinical and food isolates. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0213621. [PMID: 35108102 PMCID: PMC8939345 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02136-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium associated with a wide variety of natural and human-made environments, such as soil, vegetation, livestock, food processing environments, and urban areas. It is also among the deadliest foodborne pathogens, and knowledge about its presence and diversity in potential sources is crucial to effectively track and control it in the food chain. Isolation of L. monocytogenes from various rural and urban environments showed higher prevalence in agricultural and urban developments than in forest or mountain areas, and that detection was positively associated with rainfall. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for the collected isolates and for L. monocytogenes from Norwegian dairy farms and slugs (218 isolates in total). The data were compared to available data sets from clinical and food-associated sources in Norway collected within the last decade. Multiple examples of clusters of isolates with 0 to 8 whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) allelic differences were collected over time in the same location, demonstrating persistence of L. monocytogenes in natural, urban, and farm environments. Furthermore, several clusters with 6 to 20 wgMLST allelic differences containing isolates collected across different locations, times, and habitats were identified, including nine clusters harboring clinical isolates. The most ubiquitous clones found in soil and other natural and animal ecosystems (CC91, CC11, and CC37) were distinct from clones predominating among both clinical (CC7, CC121, and CC1) and food (CC9, CC121, CC7, and CC8) isolates. The analyses indicated that ST91 was more prevalent in Norway than other countries and revealed a high proportion of the hypovirulent ST121 among Norwegian clinical cases. IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is a deadly foodborne pathogen that is widespread in the environment. For effective management, both public health authorities and food producers need reliable tools for source tracking, surveillance, and risk assessment. For this, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is regarded as the present and future gold standard. In the current study, we use WGS to show that L. monocytogenes can persist for months and years in natural, urban, and dairy farm environments. Notably, clusters of almost identical isolates, with genetic distances within the thresholds often suggested for defining an outbreak cluster, can be collected from geographically and temporally unrelated sources. The work highlights the need for a greater knowledge of the genetic relationships between clinical isolates and isolates of L. monocytogenes from a wide range of environments, including natural, urban, agricultural, livestock, food production, and food processing environments, to correctly interpret and use results from WGS analyses.
Collapse
|
25
|
Muchaamba F, Eshwar AK, Stevens MJA, Stephan R, Tasara T. Different Shades of Listeria monocytogenes: Strain, Serotype, and Lineage-Based Variability in Virulence and Stress Tolerance Profiles. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:792162. [PMID: 35058906 PMCID: PMC8764371 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.792162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a public health and food safety challenge due to its virulence and natural stress resistance phenotypes. The variable distribution of L. monocytogenes molecular subtypes with respect to food products and processing environments and among human and animal clinical listeriosis cases is observed. Sixty-two clinical and food-associated L. monocytogenes isolates were examined through phenome and genome analysis. Virulence assessed using a zebrafish infection model revealed serotype and genotype-specific differences in pathogenicity. Strains of genetic lineage I serotype 4b and multilocus sequence type clonal complexes CC1, CC2, CC4, and CC6 grew and survived better and were more virulent than serotype 1/2a and 1/2c lineage II, CC8, and CC9 strains. Hemolysis, phospholipase activity, and lysozyme tolerance profiles were associated with the differences observed in virulence. Osmotic stress resistance evaluation revealed serotype 4b lineage I CC2 and CC4 strains as more osmotolerant, whereas serotype 1/2c lineage II CC9 strains were more osmo-sensitive than others. Variable tolerance to the widely used quaternary ammonium compound benzalkonium chloride (BC) was observed. Some outbreak and sporadic clinical case associated strains demonstrated BC tolerance, which might have contributed to their survival and transition in the food-processing environment facilitating food product contamination and ultimately outbreaks or sporadic listeriosis cases. Genome comparison uncovered various moderate differences in virulence and stress associated genes between the strains indicating that these differences in addition to gene expression regulation variations might largely be responsible for the observed virulence and stress sensitivity phenotypic differences. Overall, our study uncovered strain and genotype-dependent variation in virulence and stress resilience among clinical and food-associated L. monocytogenes isolates with potential public health risk implications. The extensive genome and phenotypic data generated provide a basis for developing improved Listeria control strategies and policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Muchaamba
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Athmanya K Eshwar
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc J A Stevens
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lakicevic BZ, Den Besten HMW, De Biase D. Landscape of Stress Response and Virulence Genes Among Listeria monocytogenes Strains. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:738470. [PMID: 35126322 PMCID: PMC8811131 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.738470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic microorganism Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous and responsible for listeriosis, a disease with a high mortality rate in susceptible people. It can persist in different habitats, including the farm environment, the food production environments, and in foods. This pathogen can grow under challenging conditions, such as low pH, low temperatures, and high salt concentrations. However, L. monocytogenes has a high degree of strain divergence regarding virulence potential, environmental adaption, and stress response. This review seeks to provide the reader with an up-to-date overview of clonal and serotype-specific differences among L. monocytogenes strains. Emphasis on the genes and genomic islands responsible for virulence and resistance to environmental stresses is given to explain the complex adaptation among L. monocytogenes strains. Moreover, we highlight the use of advanced diagnostic technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing, to fine-tune quantitative microbiological risk assessment for better control of listeriosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brankica Z. Lakicevic
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Brankica Z. Lakicevic,
| | | | - Daniela De Biase
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Whole-Genome Sequencing Characterization of Virulence Profiles of Listeria monocytogenes Food and Human Isolates and In Vitro Adhesion/Invasion Assessment. Microorganisms 2021; 10:microorganisms10010062. [PMID: 35056510 PMCID: PMC8779253 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is the causative agent of human listeriosis. Lm strains have different virulence potential. For this reason, we preliminarily characterised via Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) some Lm strains for their key genomic features and virulence-associated determinants, assigning the clonal complex (CC). Moreover, the ability of the same strains to adhere to and invade human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2, evaluating the possible correspondence with their genetic virulence profile, was also assessed. The clinical strains typed belonged to clonal complex (CC)1, CC31, and CC101 and showed a very low invasiveness. The Lm strains isolated from food were assigned to CC1, CC7, CC9, and CC121. All CC1 carried the hypervirulence pathogenicity island LIPI-3 in addition to LIPI-1. Premature stop codons in the inlA gene were found only in Lm of food origin belonging to CC9 and CC121. The presence of LIPI2_inlII was observed in all the CCs except CC1. The CC7 strain, belonging to an epidemic cluster, also carried the internalin genes inlG and inlL and showed the highest level of invasion. In contrast, the human CC31 strain lacked the lapB and vip genes and presented the lowest level of invasiveness. In Lm, the genetic determinants of hypo- or hypervirulence are not necessarily predictive of a cell adhesion and/or invasion ability in vitro. Moreover, since listeriosis results from the interplay between host and virulence features of the pathogen, even hypovirulent clones are able to cause infection in immunocompromised people.
Collapse
|
28
|
Palacios-Gorba C, Moura A, Gomis J, Leclercq A, Gómez-Martín Á, Bracq-Dieye H, Mocé ML, Tessaud-Rita N, Jiménez-Trigos E, Vales G, García-Muñoz Á, Thouvenot P, García-Roselló E, Lecuit M, Quereda JJ. Ruminant-associated Listeria monocytogenes isolates belong preferentially to dairy-associated hypervirulent clones: a longitudinal study in 19 farms. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7617-7631. [PMID: 34863016 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that ruminants constitute reservoirs of Listeria monocytogenes, but little is known about the epidemiology and genetic diversity of this pathogen within farms. Here we conducted a large-scale longitudinal study to monitor Listeria spp. in 19 dairy farms during three consecutive seasons (N = 3251 samples). L. innocua was the most prevalent species, followed by L. monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 52.6% of farms and more frequently in cattle (4.1%) and sheep (4.5%) than in goat farms (0.2%). Lineage I accounted for 69% of L. monocytogenes isolates. Among animal samples, the most prevalent sublineages (SL) and clonal complexes (CC) were SL1/CC1, SL219/CC4, SL26/CC26 and SL87/CC87, whereas SL666/CC666 was most prevalent in environmental samples. Sixty-one different L. monocytogenes cgMLST types were found, 28% common to different animals and/or surfaces within the same farm and 21% previously reported elsewhere in the context of food and human surveillance. Listeria monocytogenes prevalence was not affected by farm hygiene but by season: higher prevalence was observed during winter in cattle, and during winter and spring in sheep farms. Cows in their second lactation had a higher probability of L. monocytogenes faecal shedding. This study highlights dairy farms as a reservoir for hypervirulent L. monocytogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Palacios-Gorba
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexandra Moura
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Jesús Gomis
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexandre Leclercq
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Ángel Gómez-Martín
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Hélène Bracq-Dieye
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - María L Mocé
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nathalie Tessaud-Rita
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Estrella Jiménez-Trigos
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Guillaume Vales
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Ángel García-Muñoz
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pierre Thouvenot
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France
| | - Empar García-Roselló
- Departamento Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marc Lecuit
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Centre and WHO Collaborating Centre for Listeria, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, 75015, France.,Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Institut Imagine, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Juan J Quereda
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Moura A, Lefrancq N, Wirth T, Leclercq A, Borges V, Gilpin B, Dallman TJ, Frey J, Franz E, Nielsen EM, Thomas J, Pightling A, Howden BP, Tarr CL, Gerner-Smidt P, Cauchemez S, Salje H, Brisse S, Lecuit M. Emergence and global spread of Listeria monocytogenes main clinical clonal complex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj9805. [PMID: 34851675 PMCID: PMC8635441 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes clonal complex 1 (Lm-CC1) is the most prevalent clonal group associated with human listeriosis and is strongly associated with cattle and dairy products. Here, we analyze 2021 isolates collected from 40 countries, covering Lm-CC1 first isolation to present days, to define its evolutionary history and population dynamics. We show that Lm-CC1 spread worldwide from North America following the Industrial Revolution through two waves of expansion, coinciding with the transatlantic livestock trade in the second half of the 19th century and the rapid growth of cattle farming and food industrialization in the 20th century. In sharp contrast to its global spread over the past century, transmission chains are now mostly local, with limited inter- and intra-country spread. This study provides an unprecedented insight into L. monocytogenes phylogeography and population dynamics and highlights the importance of genome analyses for a better control of pathogen transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Moura
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center Listeria, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Noémie Lefrancq
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, CNRS UMR 2000, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Wirth
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB),Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université des Antilles, EPHE, Paris, France
- PSL University, EPHE, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Leclercq
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center Listeria, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Vítor Borges
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Brent Gilpin
- Christchurch Science Centre, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | - Joachim Frey
- Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eelco Franz
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | - Juno Thomas
- Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Arthur Pightling
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Howden
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheryl L. Tarr
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Simon Cauchemez
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, CNRS UMR 2000, Paris, France
| | - Henrik Salje
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, CNRS UMR 2000, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Marc Lecuit
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Inserm U1117, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center Listeria, 75015 Paris, France
- Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, APHP, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Quereda JJ, Morón-García A, Palacios-Gorba C, Dessaux C, García-del Portillo F, Pucciarelli MG, Ortega AD. Pathogenicity and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes: A trip from environmental to medical microbiology. Virulence 2021; 12:2509-2545. [PMID: 34612177 PMCID: PMC8496543 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1975526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a saprophytic gram-positive bacterium, and an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that can produce listeriosis in humans and animals. It has evolved an exceptional ability to adapt to stress conditions encountered in different environments, resulting in a ubiquitous distribution. Because some food preservation methods and disinfection protocols in food-processing environments cannot efficiently prevent contaminations, L. monocytogenes constitutes a threat to human health and a challenge to food safety. In the host, Listeria colonizes the gastrointestinal tract, crosses the intestinal barrier, and disseminates through the blood to target organs. In immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and pregnant women, the pathogen can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers, leading to neurolisteriosis and materno-fetal listeriosis. Molecular and cell biology studies of infection have proven L. monocytogenes to be a versatile pathogen that deploys unique strategies to invade different cell types, survive and move inside the eukaryotic host cell, and spread from cell to cell. Here, we present the multifaceted Listeria life cycle from a comprehensive perspective. We discuss genetic features of pathogenic Listeria species, analyze factors involved in food contamination, and review bacterial strategies to tolerate stresses encountered both during food processing and along the host's gastrointestinal tract. Then we dissect host-pathogen interactions underlying listerial pathogenesis in mammals from a cell biology and systemic point of view. Finally, we summarize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of listeriosis in humans and animals. This work aims to gather information from different fields crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Quereda
- Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities. Valencia, Spain
| | - Alvaro Morón-García
- Departamento de Biología Celular. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Palacios-Gorba
- Departamento de Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities. Valencia, Spain
| | - Charlotte Dessaux
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB)- Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco García-del Portillo
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB)- Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Graciela Pucciarelli
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB)- Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular ‘Severo Ochoa’. Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro D. Ortega
- Departamento de Biología Celular. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB)- Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vergnano S, Godbole G, Simbo A, Smith-Palmer A, Cormican M, Anthony M, Heath PT. Listeria infection in young infants: results from a national surveillance study in the UK and Ireland. Arch Dis Child 2021; 106:1207-1210. [PMID: 33985959 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-321602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the epidemiology, age at infection, clinical characteristics and outcome of listeria infection in young infants to inform management and empiric antibiotic choice in young infants. DESIGN Prospective 2-year surveillance of Listeria monocytogenes infection in young infants detected through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit 'orange card' system and triangulated with the public health laboratories. SETTING National population study (England, Wales, Scotland and the Ireland) PATIENTS: All infants under 90 days with proven or probable invasive listeriosis MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, mortality, age of infection, clinical characteristics and outcome RESULTS: During a 2-year period (2017-2019), 27 cases of listeriosis in infants <90 days of age were reported. The incidence of listeriosis in this study was 1.8 per 100 000 live births with 7% mortality (2/27). Nearly all cases presented within the first 24 hours of life (26/27). The majority (20/27, 74%) were born preterm and 16/24 (67%) were born to women from ethnic minority backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS Invasive listeriosis in young infants in the UK and Ireland is rare and presents early in the neonatal period. National guidelines that recommend the use of amoxicillin as part of empiric regimes for sepsis and meningitis in infants over 1 month of age should be modified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Vergnano
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK .,Infection and Immunity, University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
| | - Gauri Godbole
- Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Ameze Simbo
- Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Martin Cormican
- Division of Microbiology, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mark Anthony
- Neonatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Paul T Heath
- Paediatric Infectious Disease Research Group, University of London Saint George's, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kubicová Z, Roussel S, Félix B, Cabanová L. Genomic Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates From Slovakia (2010 to 2020). Front Microbiol 2021; 12:729050. [PMID: 34795648 PMCID: PMC8593459 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.729050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 11 years, the Slovak National Reference Laboratory has collected a panel of 988 Listeria monocytogenes isolates in Slovakia, which were isolated from various food sectors (61%), food-processing environments (13.7%), animals with listeriosis symptoms (21.2%), and human cases (4.1%). We serotyped these isolates by agglutination method, which revealed the highest prevalence (61.1%) of serotype 1/2a and the lowest (4.7%) of serotype 1/2c, although these represented the majority of isolates from the meat sector. The distribution of CCs analyzed on 176 isolates demonstrated that CC11-ST451 (15.3%) was the most prevalent CC, particularly in food (14.8%) and animal isolates (17.5%). CC11-ST451, followed by CC7, CC14, and CC37, were the most prevalent CCs in the milk sector, and CC9 and CC8 in the meat sector. CC11-ST451 is probably widely distributed in Slovakia, mainly in the milk and dairy product sectors, posing a possible threat to public health. Potential persistence indication of CC9 was observed in one meat facility between 2014 and 2018, highlighting its general meat-related distribution and potential for persistence worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Kubicová
- State Veterinary and Food Institute (SVFI), Dolny Kubin, Slovakia
| | - Sophie Roussel
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria Unit, University of Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & 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 & Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lenka Cabanová
- State Veterinary and Food Institute (SVFI), Dolny Kubin, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Brown P, Chen Y, Siletzky R, Parsons C, Jaykus LA, Eifert J, Ryser E, Logue CM, Stam C, Brown E, Kathariou S. Harnessing Whole Genome Sequence Data for Facility-Specific Signatures for Listeria monocytogenes: A Case Study With Turkey Processing Plants in the United States. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.742353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive foodborne pathogen responsible for the severe disease listeriosis and notorious for its ability to persist in food processing plants, leading to contamination of processed, ready-to-eat foods. L. monocytogenes persistence in various food processing environments (FPEs) has been extensively investigated by various subtyping tools, with increasing use of whole genome sequencing (WGS). However, major knowledge gaps remain. There is a need for facility-specific molecular signatures not only for adequate attribution of L. monocytogenes to a specific FPE but also for improved understanding of the ecology and evolution of L. monocytogenes in the food processing ecosystem. Furthermore, multiple strains can be recovered from a single FPE sample, but their diversity can be underestimated with common molecular subtyping tools. In this study we investigated a panel of 54 L. monocytogenes strains from four turkey processing plants in the United States. A combination of WGS and phenotypic assays was employed to assess strain persistence as well as identify facility-specific molecular signatures. Comparative analysis of allelic variation across the whole genome revealed that allelic profiles have the potential to be specific to individual processing plants. Certain allelic profiles remained associated with individual plants even when closely-related strains from other sources were included in the analysis. Furthermore, for certain sequence types (STs) based on the seven-locus multilocus sequence typing scheme, presence and location of premature stop codons in inlA, inlB length, prophage sequences, and the sequence content of a genomic hotspot could serve as plant-specific signatures. Interestingly, the analysis of different isolates from the same environmental sample revealed major differences not only in serotype and ST, but even in the sequence content of strains of the same ST. This study highlights the potential for WGS data to be deployed for identification of facility-specific signatures, thus facilitating the tracking of strain movement through the food chain. Furthermore, deployment of WGS for intra-sample strain analysis allows for a more complete environmental surveillance of L. monocytogenes in food processing facilities, reducing the risk of failing to detect strains that may be clinically relevant and potentially novel.
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
A case of listeriosis occurred in a hospitalised patient in England in July 2017. Analysis by whole genome sequencing of the Listeria monocytogenes from the patient's blood culture was identified as clonal complex (CC) 121. This culture was indistinguishable to isolates from sandwiches, salads and the maufacturing environment of Company X which supplied these products widely to the National Health Service. Whilst an inpatient, the case was served sandwiches produced by this company on 12 occasions. No other cases infected by this type were detected in the UK between 2016 and 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, more than 3000 samples of food, food ingredients and environmental swabs from this company were tested. Listeria monocytogenes contamination rates declined after July 2017 from 31% to 0.3% for salads and 3% to 0% for sandwiches. A monophyletic group of 127 L. monocytogenes CC121 isolates was recovered during 2016-2019 and was used to estimate the time of the most recent common ancestor as 2014 (95% CI of between 2012 and 2016). These results represent persistent contamination of equipment, food contact surfaces and foods at a food manufacturer by a single L. monocytogenes strain. Colonisation and persistent contamination of food and production environments are risks for public health.
Collapse
|
35
|
Šteingolde Ž, Meistere I, Avsejenko J, Ķibilds J, Bergšpica I, Streikiša M, Gradovska S, Alksne L, Roussel S, Terentjeva M, Bērziņš A. Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Cattle Abortions in Latvia, 2013-2018. Vet Sci 2021; 8:195. [PMID: 34564589 PMCID: PMC8473131 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8090195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes can cause disease in humans and in a wide range of animal species, especially in farm ruminants. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes related to 1185 cattle abortion cases in Latvia during 2013-2018. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes among cattle abortions was 16.1% (191/1185). The seasonality of L. monocytogenes abortions was observed with significantly higher occurrence (p < 0.01) in spring (March-May). In 61.0% of the cases, the affected cattle were under four years of age. L. monocytogenes abortions were observed during the third (64.6%) and second (33.3%) trimesters of gestation. Overall, 27 different sequence types (ST) were detected, and four of them, ST29 (clonal complex, CC29), ST37 (CC37), ST451 (CC11) and ST7 (CC7), covered more than half of the L. monocytogenes isolates. Key virulence factors like the prfA-dependent virulence cluster and inlA, inlB were observed in all the analyzed isolates, but lntA, inlF, inlJ, vip were associated with individual sequence types. Our results confirmed that L. monocytogenes is the most important causative agent of cattle abortions in Latvia and more than 20 different STs were observed in L. monocytogenes abortions in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Žanete Šteingolde
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
- Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia;
| | - Irēna Meistere
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Jeļena Avsejenko
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Juris Ķibilds
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Ieva Bergšpica
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Madara Streikiša
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Silva Gradovska
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Laura Alksne
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Sophie Roussel
- Maisons-Alfort Laboratory of Food Safety, University Paris-Est, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health (ANSES), F-94701 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Margarita Terentjeva
- Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia;
| | - Aivars Bērziņš
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, LV-1076 Riga, Latvia; (J.A.); (J.Ķ.); (I.B.); (M.S.); (S.G.); (L.A.); (A.B.)
- Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia;
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Unrath N, McCabe E, Macori G, Fanning S. Application of Whole Genome Sequencing to Aid in Deciphering the Persistence Potential of Listeria monocytogenes in Food Production Environments. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1856. [PMID: 34576750 PMCID: PMC8464834 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is the etiological agent of listeriosis, a foodborne illness associated with high hospitalizations and mortality rates. This bacterium can persist in food associated environments for years with isolates being increasingly linked to outbreaks. This review presents a discussion of genomes of Listeria monocytogenes which are commonly regarded as persisters within food production environments, as well as genes which are involved in mechanisms aiding this phenotype. Although criteria for the detection of persistence remain undefined, the advent of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and the development of bioinformatic tools have revolutionized the ability to find closely related strains. These advancements will facilitate the identification of mechanisms responsible for persistence among indistinguishable genomes. In turn, this will lead to improved assessments of the importance of biofilm formation, adaptation to stressful conditions and tolerance to sterilizers in relation to the persistence of this bacterium, all of which have been previously associated with this phenotype. Despite much research being published around the topic of persistence, more insights are required to further elucidate the nature of true persistence and its implications for public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Unrath
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland; (N.U.); (E.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Evonne McCabe
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland; (N.U.); (E.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, D04 T6F4 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Guerrino Macori
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland; (N.U.); (E.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland; (N.U.); (E.M.); (G.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Centorotola G, Guidi F, D’Aurizio G, Salini R, Di Domenico M, Ottaviani D, Petruzzelli A, Fisichella S, Duranti A, Tonucci F, Acciari VA, Torresi M, Pomilio F, Blasi G. Intensive Environmental Surveillance Plan for Listeria monocytogenes in Food Producing Plants and Retail Stores of Central Italy: Prevalence and Genetic Diversity. Foods 2021; 10:foods10081944. [PMID: 34441721 PMCID: PMC8392342 DOI: 10.3390/foods10081944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) can persist in food processing environments (FPEs), surviving environmental stresses and disinfectants. We described an intensive environmental monitoring plan performed in Central Italy and involving food producing plants (FPPs) and retail grocery stores (RSs). The aim of the study was to provide a snapshot of the Lm circulation in different FPEs during a severe listeriosis outbreak, using whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate the genetic diversity of the Lm isolated, evaluating their virulence and stress resistance profiles. A total of 1217 samples were collected in 86 FPEs with 12.0% of positive surfaces at FPPs level and 7.5% at RSs level; 133 Lm isolates were typed by multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) and core genome MLST (cgMLST). Clonal complex (CC) 121 (25.6%), CC9 (22.6%), CC1 (11.3%), CC3 (10.5%), CC191 (4.5%), CC7 (4.5%) and CC31 (3.8%) were the most frequent MLST clones. Among the 26 cgMLST clusters obtained, 5 of them persisted after sanitization and were re-isolated during the follow-up sampling. All the CC121 harboured the Tn6188_qac gene for tolerance to benzalkonium chloride and the stress survival islet SSI-2. The CC3, CC7, CC9, CC31 and CC191 carried the SSI-1. All the CC9 and CC121 strains presented a premature stop codon in the inlA gene. In addition to the Lm Pathogenicity Island 1 (LIPI-1), CC1, CC3 and CC191 harboured the LIPI-3. The application of intensive environmental sampling plans for the detection and WGS analysis of Lm isolates could improve surveillance and early detection of outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Centorotola
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento Per Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.C.); (V.A.A.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Fabrizia Guidi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-075-3431
| | - Guglielmo D’Aurizio
- ARS P.F. Prevenzione Veterinaria e Sicurezza Alimentare, Regione Marche, via Don Gioia, 8, 60122 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Romolo Salini
- Centro Operativo Veterinario Per l’Epidemiologia, Programmazione, Informazione e Analisi del Rischio (COVEPI), National Reference Center for Veterinary Epidemiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale Per Sequenze Genomiche di Microrganismi Patogeni, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Donatella Ottaviani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Annalisa Petruzzelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Stefano Fisichella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Anna Duranti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Franco Tonucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Vicdalia Aniela Acciari
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento Per Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.C.); (V.A.A.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Marina Torresi
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento Per Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.C.); (V.A.A.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento Per Listeria monocytogenes, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.C.); (V.A.A.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Giuliana Blasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.O.); (A.P.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (G.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Virulence Pattern Analysis of Three Listeria monocytogenes Lineage I Epidemic Strains with Distinct Outbreak Histories. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081745. [PMID: 34442824 PMCID: PMC8399138 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Strains of the food-borne pathogen Listeria (L.) monocytogenes have diverse virulence potential. This study focused on the virulence of three outbreak strains: the CC1 strain PF49 (serovar 4b) from a cheese-associated outbreak in Switzerland, the clinical CC2 strain F80594 (serovar 4b), and strain G6006 (CC3, serovar 1/2a), responsible for a large gastroenteritis outbreak in the USA due to chocolate milk. We analysed the genomes and characterized the virulence in vitro and in vivo. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a high conservation of the major virulence genes. Minor deviations of the gene contents were found in the autolysins Ami, Auto, and IspC. Moreover, different ActA variants were present. Strain PF49 and F80594 showed prolonged survival in the liver of infected mice. Invasion and intracellular proliferation were similar for all strains, but the CC1 and CC2 strains showed increased spreading in intestinal epithelial Caco2 cells compared to strain G6006. Overall, this study revealed long-term survival of serovar 4b strains F80594 and PF49 in the liver of mice. Future work will be needed to determine the genes and molecular mechanism behind the long-term survival of L. monocytogenes strains in organs.
Collapse
|
39
|
Mafuna T, Matle I, Magwedere K, Pierneef RE, Reva ON. Whole Genome-Based Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Recovered From the Food Chain in South Africa. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:669287. [PMID: 34276601 PMCID: PMC8283694 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.669287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen which has the ability to adapt and survive in food and food processing facilities where it can persist for years. In this study, a total of 143 L. monocytogenes isolates in South Africa (SA) were characterized for their strain’s genetic relatedness, virulence profiles, stress tolerance and resistance genes associated with L. monocytogenes. The Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed that the most frequent serogroups were IVb and IIa; Sequence Types (ST) were ST204, ST2, and ST1; and Clonal Complexes (CC) were CC204, CC1, and CC2. Examination of genes involved in adaptation and survival of L. monocytogenes in SA showed that ST1, ST2, ST121, ST204, and ST321 are well adapted in food processing environments due to the significant over-representation of Benzalkonium chloride (BC) resistance genes (bcrABC cassette, ermC, mdrL and Ide), stress tolerance genes (SSI-1 and SSI-2), Prophage (φ) profiles (LP_101, vB LmoS 188, vB_LmoS_293, and B054 phage), plasmids profiles (N1-011A, J1776, and pLM5578) and biofilm formation associated genes. Furthermore, the L. monocytogenes strains that showed hyper-virulent potential were ST1, ST2 and ST204, and hypo-virulent were ST121 and ST321 because of the presence and absence of major virulence factors such as LIPI-1, LIPI-3, LIPI-4 and the internalin gene family members including inlABCEFJ. The information provided in this study revealed that hyper-virulent strains ST1, ST2, and ST204 could present a major public health risk due to their association with meat products and food processing environments in SA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thendo Mafuna
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Itumeleng Matle
- Bacteriology Division, Agricultural Research Council: Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kudakwashe Magwedere
- Directorate of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rian E Pierneef
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Oleg N Reva
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Schmitz-Esser S, Anast JM, Cortes BW. A Large-Scale Sequencing-Based Survey of Plasmids in Listeria monocytogenes Reveals Global Dissemination of Plasmids. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:653155. [PMID: 33776982 PMCID: PMC7994336 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.653155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is known for its capacity to cope with multiple stress conditions occurring in food and food production environments (FPEs). Plasmids can provide benefits to their host strains, and it is known that various Listeria strains contain plasmids. However, the current understanding of plasmid frequency and function in L. monocytogenes strains remains rather limited. To determine the presence of plasmids among L. monocytogenes strains and their potential contribution to stress survival, a comprehensive dataset was established based on 1,921 published genomes from strains representing 14 L. monocytogenes sequence types (STs). Our results show that an average of 54% of all L. monocytogenes strains in the dataset contained a putative plasmid. The presence of plasmids was highly variable between different STs. While some STs, such as ST1, ST2, and ST4, contained few plasmid-bearing strains (<15% of the strains per ST), other STs, such as ST121, ST5, ST8, ST3, and ST204, possessed a higher proportion of plasmid-bearing strains with plasmids found in >71% of the strains within each ST. Overall, the sizes of plasmids analyzed in this study ranged from 4 to 170 kbp with a median plasmid size of 61 kbp. We also identified two novel groups of putative Listeria plasmids based on the amino acid sequences of the plasmid replication protein, RepA. We show that highly conserved plasmids are shared among Listeria strains which have been isolated from around the world over the last few decades. To investigate the potential roles of plasmids, nine genes related to stress-response were selected for an assessment of their abundance and conservation among L. monocytogenes plasmids. The results demonstrated that these plasmid genes exhibited high sequence conservation but that their presence in plasmids was highly variable. Additionally, we identified a novel transposon, Tn7075, predicted to be involved in mercury-resistance. Here, we provide the largest plasmid survey of L. monocytogenes to date with a comprehensive examination of the distribution of plasmids among L. monocytogenes strains. Our results significantly increase our knowledge about the distribution, composition, and conservation of L. monocytogenes plasmids and suggest that plasmids are likely important for the survival of L. monocytogenes in food and FPEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Schmitz-Esser
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.,Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Justin M Anast
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.,Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Bienvenido W Cortes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.,Interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lüth S, Halbedel S, Rosner B, Wilking H, Holzer A, Roedel A, Dieckmann R, Vincze S, Prager R, Flieger A, Al Dahouk S, Kleta S. Backtracking and forward checking of human listeriosis clusters identified a multiclonal outbreak linked to Listeria monocytogenes in meat products of a single producer. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:1600-1608. [PMID: 32657219 PMCID: PMC7473094 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1784044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Due to its high case fatality rate, foodborne listeriosis is considered a major public health concern worldwide. We describe one of the largest listeriosis outbreaks in Germany with 83 cases of invasive listeriosis between 2013 and 2018. As part of the outbreak investigation, we identified a highly diverse Listeria monocytogenes population at a single producer of ready-to-eat meat products. Strikingly, the extensive sampling after identification of a first match between a cluster of clinical isolates and a food isolate allowed for a linkage between this producer and a second, previously unmatched cluster of clinical isolates. Bacterial persistence in the processing plant and indications of cross-contamination events explained long-term contamination of food that led to the protracted outbreak. Based on screening for virulence factors, a pathogenic phenotype could not be ruled out for other strains circulating in the plant, suggesting that the outbreak could have been even larger. As most isolates were sensitive to common biocides used in the plant, hard to clean niches in the production line may have played a major role in the consolidation of the contamination. Our study demonstrates how important it is to search for the origin of infection when cases of illness have occurred (backtracking), but also clearly highlights that it is equally important to check whether a contamination at food or production level has caused disease (forward checking). Only through this two-sided control strategy, foodborne disease outbreaks such as listeriosis can be minimized, which could be a real improvement for public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Lüth
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Halbedel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Bettina Rosner
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Wilking
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Holzer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Roedel
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dieckmann
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Szilvia Vincze
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rita Prager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Antje Flieger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, Wernigerode, Germany
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kleta
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gelbicova T, Florianova M, Hluchanova L, Kalova A, Korena K, Strakova N, Karpiskova R. Comparative Analysis of Genetic Determinants Encoding Cadmium, Arsenic, and Benzalkonium Chloride Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes of Human, Food, and Environmental Origin. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:599882. [PMID: 33519740 PMCID: PMC7840573 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.599882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental adaptation of Listeria monocytogenes is a complex process involving various mechanisms that can contribute to their survival in the environment, further spreading throughout the food chain and the development of listeriosis. The aim of this study was to analyze whole-genome sequencing data in a set of 270 strains of L. monocytogenes derived from human listeriosis cases and food and environmental sources in order to compare the prevalence and type of genetic determinants encoding cadmium, arsenic, and benzalkonium chloride resistance. Most of the detected genes of cadmium (27.8%), arsenic (15.6%), and benzalkonium chloride (7.0%) resistance were located on mobile genetic elements, even in phylogenetically distant lineages I and II, which indicates the possibility of their horizontal spread. Although no differences were found in the prevalence of these genes between human and food strains, they have been detected sporadically in strains from the environment. Regarding cadmium resistance genes, cadA1C1_Tn5422 predominated, especially in clonal complexes (CCs) 121, 8, and 3 strains. At the same time, qacH_Tn6188-encoding benzalkonium chloride resistance was most frequently detected in the genome of CC121 strains. Genes encoding arsenic resistance were detected mainly in strains CC2 (located on the chromosomal island LGI2) and CC9 (carried on Tn554). The results indicated a relationship between the spread of genes encoding resistance to cadmium, arsenic, and benzalkonium chloride in certain serotypes and CCs and showed the need for a more extensive study of L. monocytogenes strains to better understand their ability to adapt to the food production environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Gelbicova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martina Florianova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Lucie Hluchanova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia.,Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Alžběta Kalova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Kristýna Korena
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Nicol Strakova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Renáta Karpiskova
- Department of Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia.,Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
An Open-Source Program (Haplo-ST) for Whole-Genome Sequence Typing Shows Extensive Diversity among Listeria monocytogenes Isolates in Outdoor Environments and Poultry Processing Plants. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 87:AEM.02248-20. [PMID: 33097499 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02248-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A reliable and standardized classification of Listeria monocytogenes is important for accurate strain identification during outbreak investigations. Current whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based approaches for strain characterization are either difficult to standardize, rendering them less suitable for data exchange, or are not freely available. Thus, we developed a portable and open-source tool, Haplo-ST, to improve standardization and provide maximum discriminatory potential to WGS data tied to a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) framework. Haplo-ST performs whole-genome MLST (wgMLST) for L. monocytogenes while allowing for data exchangeability worldwide. This tool takes in (i) raw WGS reads as input, (ii) cleans the raw data according to user-specified parameters, (iii) assembles genes across loci by mapping to genes from reference strains, and (iv) assigns allelic profiles to assembled genes and provides a wgMLST subtyping for each isolate. Data exchangeability relies on the tool assigning allelic profiles based on a centralized nomenclature defined by the widely used BIGSdb-Lm database. Tests of Haplo-ST's performance with simulated reads from L. monocytogenes reference strains demonstrated high sensitivity (97.5%), and coverage depths of ≥20× were found to be sufficient for wgMLST profiling. We then used Haplo-ST to characterize and differentiate between two groups of L. monocytogenes isolates derived from the natural environment and poultry processing plants. Phylogenetic reconstruction identified lineages within each group, and no lineage specificity was observed with isolate phenotypes (transient versus persistent) or origins. Genetic differentiation analyses between isolate groups identified 21 significantly differentiated loci, potentially enriched for adaptation and persistence of L. monocytogenes within poultry processing plants.IMPORTANCE We have developed an open-source tool (https://github.com/swarnalilouha/Haplo-ST) that provides allele-based subtyping of L. monocytogenes isolates at the whole-genome level. Along with allelic profiles, this tool also generates allele sequences and identifies paralogs, which is useful for phylogenetic tree reconstruction and deciphering relationships between closely related isolates. More broadly, Haplo-ST is flexible and can be adapted to characterize the genome of any haploid organism simply by installing an organism-specific gene database. Haplo-ST also allows for scalable subtyping of isolates; fewer reference genes can be used for low-resolution typing, whereas higher resolution can be achieved by increasing the number of genes used in the analysis. Our tool enabled clustering of L. monocytogenes isolates into lineages and detection of potential loci for adaptation and persistence in food processing environments. Findings from these analyses highlight the effectiveness of Haplo-ST in subtyping and evaluating relationships among isolates in studies of bacterial population genetics.
Collapse
|
44
|
Zwietering MH, Garre A, den Besten HMW. Incorporating strain variability in the design of heat treatments: A stochastic approach and a kinetic approach. Food Res Int 2020; 139:109973. [PMID: 33509519 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
For the design of thermal processes, the decimal reduction times (D-values) of target organisms can be used. However, many factors influence the D-value, like inherent organism's characteristics (strain variability), the effect of the history of the cells, as well as product factors and process factors. Strain variability is a very large contributor to the overall variation of the D-value. Hence, the overall reduction of microbial contaminants by a heat treatment is a combination of the occurrence of a strain with a certain heat resistance and its reduction given the prevailing conditions. This reduction can be determined using two approaches: a kinetic analysis based on integral equations or a stochastic approach based on Monte Carlo analysis. In this article, these two approaches are compared using as case studies the inactivation of two microorganisms: Listeria monocytogenes in a pasteurization process and the sporeformer Geobacillus stearothermophilus in a UHT process. Both approaches resulted in similar conclusions, highlighting that the strains with the highest heat resistance are determinant for the overall inactivation, even if the probability of cells having such extreme heat resistance is very low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel H Zwietering
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alberto Garre
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Heidy M W den Besten
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Complete Genome Sequence of a Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O26:H11 Strain (Sequence Type 21) and Two Draft Genome Sequences of Listeria monocytogenes Strains (Clonal Complex 1 [CC1] and CC59) Isolated from Fresh Produce in Germany. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/49/e00973-20. [PMID: 33272986 PMCID: PMC7714840 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00973-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The complete genome sequence of a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11 strain, MBT-5 (sequence type 21 [ST21], stx1a, stx2a, eae, ehxA), and two draft genome sequences of Listeria monocytogenes strains MBT-6 and MBT-7 belonging to the virulent sequence types 1 (ST1, clonal complex 1 [CC1]) and 59 (ST59, CC59), respectively, were determined. The strains were isolated in 2015 from ready-to-eat mixed greens in Germany. The complete genome sequence of a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26:H11 strain, MBT-5 (sequence type 21 [ST21], stx1a, stx2a, eae, ehxA), and two draft genome sequences of Listeria monocytogenes strains MBT-6 and MBT-7 belonging to the virulent sequence types 1 (ST1, clonal complex 1 [CC1]) and 59 (ST59, CC59), respectively, were determined. The strains were isolated in 2015 from ready-to-eat mixed greens in Germany.
Collapse
|
46
|
Factors contributing to Listeria monocytogenes transmission and impact on food safety. Curr Opin Food Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
47
|
Virulence characterization and comparative genomics of Listeria monocytogenes sequence type 155 strains. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:847. [PMID: 33256601 PMCID: PMC7708227 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07263-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Listeria (L.) monocytogenes strains show a high diversity regarding stress tolerance and virulence potential. Genome studies have mainly focused on specific sequence types (STs) predominantly associated with either food or human listeriosis. This study focused on the prevalent ST155, showing equal distribution among clinical and food isolates. We evaluated the virulence potential of 20 ST155 strains and performed comparative genomic analysis of 130 ST155 strains isolated from food, food processing environments and human listeriosis cases in different countries and years. RESULTS The in vitro virulence assays using human intestinal epithelial Caco2 and hepatocytic HEPG2 cells showed an impaired virulence phenotype for six of the 20 selected ST155 strains. Genome analysis revealed no distinct clustering of strains from the same source category (food, food processing environment, and clinical isolates). All strains harbored an intact inlA and inlB locus, except four strains, which had an internal deletion in the inlA gene. All strains harbored LIPI-1, but prfA was present in a longer variant in six strains, all showing impaired virulence. The longer PrfA variant resulted in lower expression of inlA, inlB, and prfA, and no expression of hly and actA. Regarding stress-related gene content, SSI-1 was present, whereas qacH was absent in all strains. 34.6% of the strains harbored a plasmid. All but one ST155 plasmids showed high conservation and harbored cadA2, bcrABC, and a triphenylmethane reductase. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to an enhanced understanding of L. monocytogenes ST155 strains, being equally distributed among isolates from humans, food, and food processing environments. The conservation of the present genetic traits and the absence of unique inherent genetic features makes these types of STs especially interesting since they are apparently equally adapted to the conditions in food processing environments, as well as in food as to the human host environment. However, a ST155-specific mutation resulting in a longer PrfA variant impaired the virulence potential of several ST155 strains.
Collapse
|
48
|
An outbreak of human listeriosis associated with frozen sweet corn consumption: Investigations in the UK. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 338:108994. [PMID: 33279788 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified a multi-country outbreak of human listeriosis associated with consumption of frozen sweet corn produced in Hungary. The purpose of this report was to summarise information on the cases occurring in the UK which were part of this outbreak and outline investigations on the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the affected food chain. Prior to the international recall of this product in 2018, 12 UK cases of listeriosis were identified as infected by the outbreak strain between 2015 and 18. Epidemiological and microbiological investigations confirmed these cases as belonging to the outbreak. A further case occurred in 2019 and a contaminated frozen pack from one of the implicated batches of sweet corn was recovered from the patient's domestic freezer. The outbreak strain was also detected in products from a sandwich manufacturer in 2018 which added frozen sweet corn directly to sandwich fillings. The sandwich manufacturer's sweet corn was supplied by a distributor in England which obtained frozen products from the Hungarian manufacturer implicated in the outbreak. Within the distributor's premises, 208 food and environmental samples were taken: L. monocytogenes was detected in 44% of 70 samples of frozen sweet corn and 5% of 79 other foods. The outbreak strain was detected in the frozen sweet corn, in one other frozen food (mixed vegetables) and in the factory environment. The outbreak strain was also recovered from frozen beans on retail sale in the first four months of 2019. Five other L. monocytogenes strains together with two other Listeria species were detected in samples from the importer's premises. One of the L. monocytogenes strains in the importer's factory, which was distinct from the outbreak strain, was also recovered from sweet corn collected from the sandwich manufacturer, sweet corn tested in England in 2013 and 2016 and the blood of two cases of human listeriosis which occurred in England in 2014. This report shows how analysis by WGS provides evidence to understand complex food chains. This report also highlights risks for transmission of human listeriosis from frozen sweet corn and the potential for misuse of this food as a ready-to-eat product.
Collapse
|
49
|
El-Hajjaji S, Gérard A, Sindic M. Is Butter A Product at Risk Regarding Listeria Monocytogenes? - A Review. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2020.1831528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Soundous El-Hajjaji
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agro-food Products, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Amaury Gérard
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agro-food Products, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Marianne Sindic
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agro-food Products, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
First Report on the Finding of Listeria mnocytogenes ST121 Strain in a Dolphin Brain. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100802. [PMID: 32998344 PMCID: PMC7601084 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a ubiquitous bacterium that causes the foodborne illness, listeriosis. Clonal complexes (CC), such as CC121, are overrepresented in the food production industry, and are rarely reported in animals and the environment. Working within a European-wide project, we investigated the routes by which strains are transmitted from environments and animals to food and the food production environment (FPE). In this context, we report, for the first time, the occurrence of a ST121 (CC121) strain isolated from a dolphin brain. The genome was compared with the genomes of 376 CC121 strains. Genomic comparisons showed that 16 strains isolated from food were the closest to the dolphin strain. Like most of the food strains analyzed here, the dolphin strain included genomic features (transposon Tn6188, plasmid pLM6179), both described as being associated with the strain’s adaptation to the FPE. Like all 376 strains, the dolphin strain contained a truncated actA gene and inlA gene, both described as being associated with attenuated virulence. Despite this fact, the strain was able to cross blood-brain barrier in immunosuppressed dolphin exposed polychlorinated biphenyl and invaded by parasites. Our data suggest that the dolphin was infected by a food-related strain released into the Mediterranean Sea.
Collapse
|