Specific gene probe for detection of biotyped and serotyped Listeria strains

Three-year multicenter surveillance of community-acquired Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in adults

Background

Listeria monocytogenes is the third most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis. The aim of this study is to know the incidence and risk factors associated with development of acute community-acquired Lm meningitis in adult patients and to evaluate the clinical features, management, and outcome in this prospective case series.

Methods

A descriptive, prospective, and multicentric study carried out in 9 hospitals in the Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI) over a 39-month period. All adults patients admitted to the participating hospitals with the diagnosis of acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis (Ac-ABM) were included in this study. All these cases were diagnosed on the basis of a compatible clinical picture and a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or blood culture. The patients were followed up until death or discharge from hospital.

Results

Two hundred and seventy-eight patients with Ac-ABM were included. Forty-six episodes of Lm meningitis were identified in 46 adult patients. In the multivariate analysis only age (OR 1.026; 95% CI 1.00-1.05; p = 0.042), immunosupression (OR 2.520; 95% CI 1.05-6.00; p = 0.037), and CSF/blood glucose ratio (OR 39.42; 95% CI 4.01-387.50; p = 0.002) were independently associated with a Lm meningitis. The classic triad of fever, neck stiffness and altered mental status was present in 21 (49%) patients, 32% had focal neurological findings at presentation, 12% presented cerebellum dysfunction, and 9% had seizures. Twenty-nine (68%) patients were immunocompromised. Empirical antimicrobial therapy was intravenous ampicillin for 34 (79%) of 43 patients, in 11 (32%) of them associated to aminoglycosides. Definitive ampicillin plus gentamicin therapy was significantly associated with unfavourable outcome (67% vs 28%; p = 0.024) and a higher mortality (67% vs 32%; p = 0.040).The mortality rate was 28% (12 of 43 patients) and 5 of 31 (16.1%) surviving patients developed adverse clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Elderly or immunocompromised patients, and a higher CSF/blood glucose ratio in patients with Ac-ABM must alert clinicians about Lm aetiology. Furthermore, we observed a high incidence of acute community-acquired Lm meningitis in adults and the addition of aminoglycosides to treatment should be avoid in order to improve the patients' outcome. Nevertheless, despite developments in intensive care and antimicrobial therapy, this entity is still a serious disease that carries high morbidity and mortality rates.

Invasive Listeria monocytogenes infections in the Netherlands, 1995-2003

In order to add to the limited data available about the incidence of invasive Listeria monocytogenes infection in the Netherlands, two studies were conducted. In the first study, data on hospital patients with listeriosis in the period 1995-2003 were obtained from the National Medical Registration (study 1). In the second study, hospital discharge letters for patients whose Listeria isolates were received by the Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis (NRLBM) in the period 1999-2003 were retrieved (study 2). Serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used to subtype the various strains of Listeria. These reviews revealed 283 hospital patients and 159 patients with Listeria isolates. Discharge letters were received for 107 (67%) patients. The mean annual incidence of listeriosis in both studies was 2.0 per million inhabitants. The main clinical manifestations were meningitis (incidence: 0.9 and 1.0 per million in studies 1 and 2, respectively) and septicaemia (incidence: 0.08 and 1.0 per million, respectively). Listeriosis in pregnancy was rare (incidence: 1.3 and 2.4 per 100,000 pregnancies over 24 weeks of gestation, respectively). Predisposing conditions were present in 47 and 71% of the patients in studies 1 and 2, respectively. The mortality due to listeriosis was 18%. Serotypes 4b, 1/2a, and 1/2b were responsible for 96% of the cases of human listeriosis. Listeriosis is rare in the Netherlands, but its clinical course is severe and the resulting mortality is high. Therefore, the current recommendations for pregnant women to avoid high-risk foods should be continued. These dietary recommendations should also be given to individuals with predisposing conditions, since they, too, are at risk of Listeria infection.

Molecular genetic methods in diagnosis and direct characterization of acute bacterial central nervous system infections

Acute bacterial infection of the central nervous system requires rapid and adequate management. Etiological diagnosis is hence crucial. Moreover, the epidemic threat of certain bacteria necessitates a reliable characterization of the involved bacterial strains to follow the spread of epidemic strains. Conventional identification and characterization of etiological agents are basically based on culture and identification of bacterial markers most frequently by serological assays. Molecular identification and characterization of bacteria have been employed. They provide more reliable analysis of bacterial isolates. Molecular methods for non-culture diagnosis of bacterial infections have recently been developed. In many cases, the molecular assays have decreased the identification time of positive cultures and rescued detection of pathogens in culture-negative clinical samples.

Methods for the isolation and identification of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes: a review

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen and is widely tested for in food, environmental and clinical samples. Identification traditionally involved culture methods based on selective enrichment and plating followed by the characterization of Listeria spp. based on colony morphology, sugar fermentation and haemolytic properties. These methods are the gold standard; but they are lengthy and may not be suitable for testing of foods with short shelf lives. As a result more rapid tests were developed based on antibodies (ELISA) or molecular techniques (PCR or DNA hybridization). While these tests possess equal sensitivity, they are rapid and allow testing to be completed within 48 h. More recently, molecular methods were developed that target RNA rather than DNA, such as RT-PCR, real time PCR or nucleic acid based sequence amplification (NASBA). These tests not only provide a measure of cell viability but they can also be used for quantitative analysis. In addition, a variety of tests are available for sub-species characterization, which are particularly useful in epidemiological investigations. Early typing methods differentiated isolates based on phenotypic markers, such as multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, phage typing and serotyping. These phenotypic typing methods are being replaced by molecular tests, which reflect genetic relationships between isolates and are more accurate. These new methods are currently mainly used in research but their considerable potential for routine testing in the future cannot be overlooked.

Correlations between molecular subtyping and serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes

To define relationships between Listeria monocytogenes genetic lineages, ribotypes, and serotypes, 235 L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized by serotyping and automated EcoRI ribotyping. Genetic lineage predicted the following serovar clusters: lineage I, comprising serotypes 1/2b, 3b, 3c, and 4b; lineage II, comprising serotypes 1/2a, 1/2c, and 3a; and lineage III, comprising serotypes 4a and 4c. Some EcoRI ribotypes contained multiple serotypes; a subset of these isolates was further differentiated with PvuII ribotyping. Of the 12 resultant EcoRI-PvuII combination types, only 4 contained multiple serotypes, demonstrating the potential of ribotyping for serotype prediction.

Effect of sampling procedure and strain variation in Listeria monocytogenes on the discrimination of species in the genus Listeria by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and canonical variates analysis

The ability to discriminate successfully among cultures of all species of the Listeria genus by infrared spectroscopy in combination with canonical variate analysis was confirmed. The robustness of the method was demonstrated by showing that the separation of L. monocytogenes and L. grayi was hardly affected by variations in broth medium, incubation temperature, incubation time and cell washing procedure. Discrimination among 24 strains of L. monocytogenes according to serotype allowed two groups to be recognised, one comprising serotypes 4 and 4b and the other containing serotypes 1, 1/2b and 1/2c. When strain variation was included in the species discrimination model, the classification of all the L. monocytogenes strains was virtually 100% correct.

Probes and polymerase chain reaction for detection of food-borne bacterial pathogens

DNA-hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are techniques commonly used to detect pathogenic bacteria. In this paper, the use of these techniques for detection of Salmonella, E. coli, V. cholerae, non-O1 Vibrio, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and C. botulinum is reviewed with emphasis on application in food microbiology. In food control, DNA-techniques have most often been used in a 'culture confirmation' fashion, i.e. bacteria are enriched and sometimes even purified by traditional culture procedures and thereafter identified by the use of DNA-based methods. The most desirable approach is, however, to detect organisms directly in the food, but major problems remain to be solved before this can be routinely performed.

Anti-DNA.RNA antibodies: an efficient tool for non-isotopic detection of Listeria species through a liquid-phase hybridization assay

This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of a new approach using anti-DNA.RNA monoclonal antibodies to detect Listeria in both pure culture and inoculated meat and meat products. A sensitive liquid-phase assay was first developed, based on the formation in solution of a hybrid between a 784-bp DNA probe, specific for the genus Listeria, and target rRNA. Monoclonal antibody and antisera raised against hybrid nucleic acids were then used in various immunoenzymatic assays to detect specific hybrids formed in solution. System 2, using a double sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and system 1, using a biotinylated probe, proved to be very effective. The method using biotin-streptavidin complex, however, resulted in a higher background signal. System 2 described here, using unlabeled probe, was more effective. This strategy allowed the detection of as little as 2.5 pg target RNA from pure culture and 500 cells from inoculated meat homogenate, even in the presence of other contaminating bacteria. The assay was more sensitive and could be completed within 3 h, as opposed to several days when conventional culture methods were used.

Development and evaluation of two novel oligonucleotide probes based on 16S rRNA sequence for the identification of Salmonella in foods

DNA sequence in the V3 to V6 region of the 16S rRNA gene of Salmonella enteritidis was determined. By comparison of this sequence with those of Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris obtained from GenBank/EMBL database, three oligonucleotides termed as 16S I, 16S II and 16S III were synthesized. Hybridization of these oligonucleotides with 325 Salmonella isolates and some non-Salmonella isolates including the Salmonella closely related species of the family of Enterobacteriaceae showed that 16S II could not be used as a Salmonella specific-probe. 16S I and 16S III hybridized with all the Salmonella isolates tested, the former also hybridizing with Citrobacter spp. and the latter hybridizing with Klebsiella pneumoniae as well as Serratia marcescens. Since enrichment of the target cells in food samples was usually required prior to the DNA hybridization assay, the interference from those non-Salmonella isolates could be prevented by enrichment by culturing in lactose-combined tetrathionate (CTET) broth followed by Gram-negative (GN) broth at 37 degrees C and/or 43 degrees C. Such a culture step could inhibit the growth of Klebsiella spp., Ser. marcescens and/or Citrobacter spp. and allowed the specific detection of Salmonella.

Naturally occurring virulence-attenuated isolates of Listeria monocytogenes capable of inducing long term protection against infection by virulent strains of homologous and heterologous serotypes

Experimental infections of mice with strains of Listeria spp. isolated from contaminated food sources allowed discrimination of strains into those either exhibiting high, attenuated or low virulence. Compared to the highly virulent L. monocytogenes strain EGD, an attenuated strain such as L99 persisted for shorter times (5 versus 10 days) in the infected host. Using a tissue culture cell model of infection, we found that, although strain L99 was capable of accumulating actin like its virulent counterpart following invasion, it was unable to generate the polarized actin tails required for intracellular and cell-to-cell movement. Immunoblot analysis using specific antiserum to the ActA polypeptide, a molecule that is necessary for movement of the bacterium within the eucaryotic cell, indicated that a slightly truncated form of this polypeptide was produced in the L99 strain. Despite its reduced virulence, the attenuated strain L99 was just as effective in generating protection in immune mice as the highly virulent strains, albeit with a 1000-fold higher infective dose. Based on the results obtained from this study, we suggest that one of the mechanisms accounting for widespread resistance in humans to infection by Listeria may be due to asymptomatic infections by naturally occurring strains attenuated for virulence.

Isolation and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes-specific nucleotide sequences

Subtracter probe hybridization was used to screen a partial genomic library of a clinical isolate of Listeria monocytogenes. Three clones that hybridized with genomic DNA from 174 strains of L. monocytogenes but not with genomic DNA from 32 strains representing other Listeria spp. were recovered. These data establish the utility of subtracter probe hybridization for recovering L. monocytogenes-specific sequences.

A ribosomal DNA fragment of Listeria monocytogenes and its use as a genus-specific probe in an aqueous-phase hybridization assay

cDNAs were prepared from the total RNA of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19118 and used as probes to screen a genomic library of the same strain. Four clones were identified which contained ribosomal DNA fragments. Recombinant DNA from one of them was fractionated and differentially hybridized with the cDNA probes to RNA of L. monocytogenes and Kurthia zopfii. The resulting hybridization pattern revealed an HpaII fragment of 0.8 kb that was specific for the L. monocytogenes strain. The nucleotide sequence of this fragment showed 159 bases of the 3' end of the 16S rRNA gene, 243 bases of the spacer region, and 382 bases of the 5' end of the 23S rRNA gene. In dot blot hybridization assays, the 32P-labeled 784-bp fragment was specific only for Listeria species. Dot blot assays revealed that the 32P-labeled fragment can easily detect > or = 10 pg of total nucleic acids from pure cultures of L. monocytogenes, which corresponds to approximately 300 bacteria. This fragment was also used as a probe in an assay named the heteroduplex nucleic acid (HNA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this system, the biotinylated DNA probe is hybridized in the aqueous phase with target RNA molecules and then specific HNAs are captured by HNA-specific antibodies. Captured HNA molecules are revealed with an enzyme conjugate of streptavidin. In a preliminary HNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the 784-bp fragment maintained its specificity for Listeria spp. and could detect 5 x 10(2) cells in artificially contaminated meat homogenate.

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in cheese with the magnetic immuno-polymerase chain reaction assay

A new detection system, the magnetic immuno-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (MIPA) has been developed to detect Listeria monocytogenes in food. This method separates Listeria cells from PCR-inhibitory factors present in enrichment broths containing food samples by using magnetic beads coated with specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The separated bacteria were lysed, and the supernatant containing the bacterial DNA was subjected to the PCR. Detection of L. monocytogenes in three naturally contaminated cheese samples with two different MAbs and PCR primers specific for the gene encoding the delayed-hypersensitivity factor showed that with MAb 55 all three samples were positive whereas with MAb A two samples were positive. A further improvement of the method was obtained by using a PCR step based on the listeriolysin O gene. A MIPA employing MAb 55 and the listeriolysin O gene primer set detected L. monocytogenes after 24 h of culture in Listeria Enrichment Broth samples from Port Salut artificially contaminated with 40 CFU/25 g. We could detect 1 CFU of L. monocytogenes per g of cheese after a second enrichment for 24 h in Fraser broth. The analysis time including both enrichments is approximately 55 h.

A 16S rRNA-based DNA probe and PCR method specific for Listeria ivanovii

A 16S rRNA-based DNA probe and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for identification and rapid detection of Listeria ivanovii. The probe (R-1) is 5'-GTAGTGACGCATGTCATCAC-3' corresponding to positions 185-204 in the L. ivanovii 16S rRNA sequence. DNA hybridization results indicated that R-1 probe only reacted with L. ivanovii, and not with six other species of Listeria or other bacteria tested. The PCR method using R-1 and a reverse primer, R-2, was positive with all eight strains of L. ivanovii tested but was negative with six other species of Listeria, including nine strains of L. monocytogenes, and 20 other taxonomically related bacteria tested. In our PCR method, starting with whole bacterial cells, only 3 h were required for the PCR assay and 1 h for electrophoresis without any additional time for DNA isolation and DNA hybridization. This PCR method detected as few as 4 cells of L. ivanovii in pure cultures and 4-40 cells of L. ivanovii in inoculated and diluted mouse feed, blood, or faeces samples.

The homologous and heterologous regions within the iap gene allow genus- and species-specific identification of Listeria spp. by polymerase chain reaction

The iap gene of Listeria species encodes protein p60. The comparison of iap-related genes from different Listeria species indicated common and variable regions within these genes which appeared to be specific for each Listeria species. On the basis of the iap gene sequences, pairs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers which allowed the unambiguous identification of all members of the genus Listeria, of groups of related Listeria species, and of L. monocytogenes, exclusively, were selected. The PCR primers specific for L. monocytogenes yielded PCR products which represented essentially the repeat region of the iap gene. The size of these PCR products allowed an estimate of the number of the TN repeat units within the repeat region of the p60 protein of an L. monocytogenes strain. The data indicated that the number of repeat units differed among L. monocytogenes isolates.

API Listeria, a new and promising one-day system to identify Listeria isolates

API Listeria is a new 10-test strip for 24-h biochemical identification of Listeria isolates. With this commercial system, 85% of 646 Listeria strains, including atypical isolates selected for this study, were recognized at the species and subspecies level without a complementary test. A new test differentiates Listeria monocytogenes from L. innocua on the basis of the absence of arylamidase from the former. With this system, 97.7% (252 of 258) of the L. monocytogenes strains tested were correctly identified and differentiated from 99.4% (175 of 176) of the L. innocua strains also tested. Gram-positive bacteria other than Listeria spp. gave quite different biochemical patterns. This system considerably reduced the time needed for conventional identification, since results were available within 18 to 24 h.

Typing of Listeria strains by random amplification of polymorphic DNA

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to obtain randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles for typing of Listeria strains. In this procedure, whole cells were incubated in the reaction mixture. The discriminating ability of a randomly designed 10-mer primer, HLWL74, was assessed. A total of 60 collection strains of Listeria, encompassing all 7 Listeria species and all known serovars was submitted to PCR with the primer HLWL74. Upon agarose gel electrophoresis, 29 different banding profiles were reproducibly obtained. No common profiles were recorded for strains from different Listeria species. For various groups of strains sharing the same serotype (e.g. 4b, 1/2a, 1/2b), RAPD analysis could generate further subdivision. On the other hand, some strains from different serotypes produced identical RAPD profiles with the primer HLWL74. The RAPD typing method from whole cells is proposed as an attractive alternative for other Listeria typing systems, and the 10-mer HLWL74 as a primer to include in a forthcoming set of standard primers for RAPD typing of Listeria isolates.

Use of polymerase chain reaction for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food

A previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (B. Furrer, U. Candrian, C. Höfelein, and J. Lüthy, J. Appl. Bacteriol. 70:372-379, 1991) was used to analyze food for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Food samples were artificially contaminated to develop two procedures to detect the organism following enrichment steps. Procedure A was based on dilution of the enrichment broth followed by lysis of the bacteria and direct analysis of the lysate with PCR. With procedure A and artificially contaminated food samples, it was possible to detect fewer than 10 bacteria per 10 g of food. In procedure B, centrifugation was used to concentrate bacteria before lysis and PCR. With procedure A, 330 naturally contaminated food samples of several types were analyzed. Twenty samples were found to be positive for L. monocytogenes, which was in agreement with the classical culture technique. By using procedure B on a subset of 100 food samples, 14 were found to be positive by PCR whereas the classical culture method detected only 13. Analysis times, including enrichment steps, were 56 and 32 h with procedures A and B, respectively.

Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH): studies on necrotising DTH-reactions against listerial antigen in the skin of guinea pigs

Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to facultative intracellular bacteria which leads to destructive skin reactions was so far only investigated against mycobacterial antigens in guinea pigs whereas this work investigates destructive DTH-reactions in the skin of guinea pigs which are directed against listerial antigens. Toxic factors of viable listerias induced an enhancement of destructive skin reactions in non-immunised guinea pigs as compared to immunised ones. In contrast, heat killed listerias (HKL) induced necrotising skin reactions in immunised and non-immunised guinea pigs which were significantly enhanced by DTH in immunised guinea pigs. 5 days after immunisation, necrotising reactivity was maximal and increased in a dose-dependent mode with higher amounts of HKL. Listeria-specific T-cells were able to interact specifically with allogeneic macrophages in vitro. By means of adoptive transfer of listeria-specific T-cells it was possible to transfer successfully Listeria-specific DTH-reactivity from immunised donors to non-immunised recipients.

Development of cell surface protein associated gene probe specific for Listeria monocytogenes and detection of the bacteria in food by PCR

A genomic library of L. monocytogenes was constructed using lambda Zap II-Eco RI and screened with a monoclonal antibody which is specific for a Listeria cell surface protein. Three positive clones each contained a 6.5 kb insert which in E. coli could express the same Listeria protein. The 6.5 kb insert was further digested with Hin dIII and the smaller fragments were subcloned into a plasmid vector (pBluescript) and screened with 32P-labelled genomic DNA from L. monocytogenes or L. innocua. Three clones which were positive with L. monocytogenes and negative with L. innocua were screened and each contained a 2.1 kb insert. The 2.1 kb insert was partly sequenced and some candidate oligomer probes from the sequences were selected and compared with sequences in a Genbank computer search. One such oligomer probe (T7-list) was confirmed to be specific for L. monocytogenes. The probe hybridized with all 28 strains of L. monocytogenes tested, but not with any of six other Listeria species nor 11 other bacteria tested. Using this probe-primer, a PCR method was developed which could detect as few as 2 cfu of L. monocytogenes in pure cultures, and as few as 4-10 cfu of L. monocytogenes when inoculated into foods.

Use of specific oligonucleotides for direct enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples by colony hybridization and rapid detection by PCR

Two 18-mer oligonucleotides derived from the sequence of hly, the gene coding for listeriolysin O, were shown to be specific for Listeria monocytogenes in the genus Listeria in colony hybridization tests. The oligonucleotides did not hybridize with any of the bacterial species found in food and co-isolated with Listeria on selective media. They were used in colony hybridization tests for enumeration of L. monocytogenes present in food samples after direct plating on selective media plates. In addition, two 24-mer oligonucleotides, each including the sequence of one of the 18-mers, were successfully used for the PCR-based detection of L. monocytogenes bacilli present in food samples after 48-h enrichment period. Using this technique, as little as 10(2) bacteria per ml of enrichment broth can be detected.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of Listeria monocytogenes and its application to epidemiological investigations

The restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of 64 random and potentially related strains of Listeria monocytogenes were analysed and compared using a probe comprised of two L. monocytogenes chromosome fragments cloned into a lambda vector. Twelve RFLP types were defined using 14 isolates of clinical origin, 42 food isolates and eight food associated environmental strains. Of the RFLP types, some were common to a particular serovar and source, whereas others were widespread amongst all serovars and sources. One of the two most common RFLP patterns was associated with serovar 1/2 isolates from food or the environment, whereas another dominant pattern was associated most commonly with serovar four isolates from all sources. The potential relationships between epidemiologically related strains were examined, with the analysis of types from a suspected listeriosis outbreak, from clinical maternal-foetal cases, and from an ice-cream factory environmental study. Serotyping alone was not a sufficient marker for the comparison of these strains whereas further discrimination of strains was possible with RFLP analysis.

Suitability of the prfA gene, which encodes a regulator of virulence genes in Listeria monocytogenes, in the identification of pathogenic Listeria spp

The pathogenesis of listerial infections is complex and involves a number of virulence factors expressed by virulent Listeria species. We have recently described a regulator gene, prfA, that positively regulates the expression of a number of virulence factors in Listeria monocytogenes. When the prfA gene was used as a DNA probe, we found it to be extremely specific for the pathogenic species L. monocytogenes. No reaction was obtained with strains of all other species of this genus. By using this information, an oligonucleotide primer pair was developed that specifically amplifies the prfA gene in L. monocytogenes strains of all known serotypes.

Molecular methods for environmental monitoring and containment of genetically engineered microorganisms

Plans to introduce genetically engineered microorganisms into the environment has led to concerns over safety and has raised questions about how to detect and to contain such microorganisms. Specific gene sequences, such as lacZ, have been inserted into genetically engineered microorganisms to permit their phenotypic detection. Molecular methods have been developed based upon recovery of DNA from environmental samples and gene probe hybridization to specific diagnostic gene sequences for the specific detection of genetically engineered microorganisms. DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction has been applied to enhance detection sensitivity so that single gene targets can be detected. Detection of messenger RNA has permitted the monitoring of gene expression in the environment. The use of reporter genes, such as the lux gene for bioluminescence, likewise has permitted the observation of gene expression. Conditional lethal constructs have been developed as models for containment of genetically engineered microorganisms. Suicide vectors, based upon the hok gene have been developed as model containment systems.

Detection of genes coding for listeriolysin and Listeria monocytogenes antigen A (lmaA) in Listeria spp. by the polymerase chain reaction

Two pairs of synthetic oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to detect targeted sequences in genes coding for listeriolysin O and Listeria monocytogenes antigen A (ImaA). Strains of Listeria spp. used in this study were isolated from clinical specimens, contaminated foods, and environmental sources. Primers were targeted to internal regions of the genes coding for listeriolysin (hlyA) and Listeria antigen (ImaA) and amplification fragments were detected after the PCR by agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR was performed using nucleic acids extracted from a collection of 74 strains of Listeria spp. including 18 reference strains, 41 L. monocytogenes, nine L. innocua, five L. seeligeri and one L. ivanovii, encompassing representative sources, serovars, and enzyme electrophoretic types. Although the listeriolysin gene was found exclusively in L. monocytogenes, some strains of serovar 4c were negative. Simultaneous presence of both genes was restricted to L. monocytogenes strains of serovars 1/2, 3, and 4. The ImaA gene was identified in five of 10 L. innocua strains and one L. ivanovii isolated from pork. Strains of L. seeligeri, L. welshimeri, and L. grayi were negative for both genes. The detection limits in the PCR were found to be 10 pg of nucleic acids for the hlyA gene and 1 pg for the ImaA gene.

Sensitive and specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk and ground beef with the polymerase chain reaction

A sensitive and specific method for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in milk and ground-beef samples is described. It consists of culturing samples in listeria enrichment broth (LEB) and subculturing them from LEB to listeria plating media, followed by DNA extraction and species-specific detection of the organism by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In developing the L. monocytogenes PCR assay, five oligonucleotide primers complementary to the nucleotide sequence of the listeriolysin O gene were synthesized and used in amplification experiments. PCR products of the predicted size, based on nucleotide sequence information, were generated with DNA from all of 72 L. monocytogenes strains with five different primer pairs. DNA from Listeria ivanovii, Listeria innocua, Listeria seeligeri, Listeria welshimeri, Listeria grayi, and Listeia murrayi strains and a panel of 47 bacterial strains representing 17 genera did not generate PCR products with the primer pairs employed. As little as 1 pg of L. monocytogenes DNA could be detected with the assay. To determine the most sensitive culture protocol to use in conjunction with the PCR assay, milk (10 ml) and ground-beef (25 g) samples were inoculated with L. monocytogenes at concentrations ranging from 0 to 10(5) CFU ml-1 or g-1, as appropriate for the sample. PCR assays on DNA extracted from growth on listeria plating media, inoculated with 24-h LEB samples cultures, were most sensitive, allowing detection of as little as 0.1 CFU of L. monocytogenes ml-1 or g-1 of milk and ground beef, respectively.

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity as a marker to distinguish between pathogenic and nonpathogenic Listeria species

In this study, 468 Listeria strains were checked for the presence of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity by using a simple assay that consisted of overlaying colonies formed on agar plates with L-alpha-phosphatidylinositol as substrate. In this assay, PI-PLC-active colonies show turbid halos around the colonies as a result of the release of insoluble diacylglycerol from the substrate. This activity was detected only in the pathogenic species Listeria monocytogenes and was not present in any of the 167 strains of Listeria seeligeri, Listeria welshimeri, Listeria innocua, Listeria murrayi, and Listeria grayi tested. Hence, screening for PI-PLC activity permits discrimination between pathogenic and nonpathogenic Listeria species. In particular, the hemolytic but nonpathogenic species L. seeligeri can now be separated from the hemolytic and pathogenic species L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii. The use of this assay will improve the specific detection and/or isolation of pathogenic Listeria species from clinical samples or food enrichment cultures.

Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen

The gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous, intracellular pathogen which has been implicated within the past decade as the causative organism in several outbreaks of foodborne disease. Listeriosis, with a mortality rate of about 24%, is found mainly among pregnant women, their fetuses, and immunocompromised persons, with symptoms of abortion, neonatal death, septicemia, and meningitis. Epidemiological investigations can make use of strain-typing procedures such as DNA restriction enzyme analysis or electrophoretic enzyme typing. The organism has a multifactorial virulence system, with the thiol-activated hemolysin, listeriolysin O, being identified as playing a crucial role in the organism's ability to multiply within host phagocytic cells and to spread from cell to cell. The organism occurs widely in food, with the highest incidences being found in meat, poultry, and seafood products. Improved methods for detecting and enumerating the organism in foodstuffs are now available, including those based on the use of monoclonal antibodies, DNA probes, or the polymerase chain reaction. As knowledge of the molecular and applied biology of L. monocytogenes increases, progress can be made in the prevention and control of human infection.

Comparison of methods for discrimination between strains of Listeria monocytogenes from epidemiological surveys

Total cellular DNA from 28 strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food implicated in food-borne illness and from patients with listeriosis was digested with the restriction endonucleases HindIII, HaeIII, and EcoRI. Following agarose gel electrophoresis, the fragments were subjected to Southern blot hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled cDNA probe transcribed from Escherichia coli 16S and 23S rRNA. The patterns of bands from genomic (DNA fingerprints) and rDNA fingerprints (ribotypes) were used for classifying L. monocytogenes strains, and the resulting subtypes were compared with serotyping and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis classification schemes. A total of 15 distinct and identical groups were obtained when genomic DNA was digested with either HindIII or HaeIII. The most discriminating enzyme for ribotyping of strains was EcoRI, which divided the 28 strains of L. monocytogenes into 6 ribotype groups. DNA fingerprinting and ribotyping differentiated L. monocytogenes from other Listeria spp., including L. ivanovii, L. welshimeri, and L. innocua as well as the lactic acid bacteria Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and subsp. cremoris. L. monocytogenes strains isolated from four independent food-borne illness incidents were analyzed by all typing methods. Patient and product isolates were not distinguishable by serotyping, ribotyping, or multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. DNA fingerprinting was the only method capable of differentiating these strains, or conversely, of proving relatedness of patient-product pairs of isolates. This method was a relatively simple, sensitive, reproducible, and highly discriminating method for epidemiological tracking of L. monocytogenes implicated in food-borne illness.

Expression of the iap gene coding for protein p60 of Listeria monocytogenes is controlled on the posttranscriptional level

Expression of the iap gene of Listeria monocytogenes encoding a major extracellular protein (p60) was analyzed. Different start sites for transcription of the iap gene were identified by primer extension analysis in L. monocytogenes and in a recombinant Escherichia coli clone. The mutant RIII of L. monocytogenes represents a member of the frequently occurring L. monocytogenes R mutants, which form cell chains and produce greatly reduced amounts of p60. However, the concentrations of iap-specific mRNA were similar in mutant RIII and the wild-type strain. The introduction of additional copies of the iap gene from wild-type L. monocytogenes led to an equal increase of iap mRNA in both strains, but overexpression of protein p60 was only observed in the wild-type strain. The nucleotide sequences of both iap genes and their 5' noncoding regions were identical in all parts that are essential for efficient transcription of the iap gene, translation of the iap-specific mRNA, and transport of the p60 protein. These data suggest that the expression of the iap gene in L. monocytogenes is controlled on the posttranscriptional level by a specific factor that is defective in mutant RIII.

Preprosubtilisin Carlsberg processing and secretion is blocked after deletion of amino acids 97-101 in the mature part of the enzyme

During an investigation into the substrate specificity and processing of subtilisin Carlsberg from Bacillus licheniformis, two major independent findings were made: (i) as has been shown previously, a stretch of five amino acids (residues 97-101 of the mature enzyme) that loops out into the binding cleft is involved in substrate binding by subtilisin Carlsberg. In order to see whether this loop element also determines substrate specificity, the coding region for these five amino acids was deleted from the cloned gene for subtilisin Carlsberg by site-directed mutagenesis. Unexpectedly the resulting mutant preproenzyme (P42c, Mr = 42 kDa) was not processed to the mature form (Mr = 30 kDa) and was not released into the medium by a protease-deficient B. subtilis host strain; rather, it accumulated in the cell membrane. This result demonstrates that the integrity of this loop element, which is very distant from the processing cleavage sites in the preproenzyme, is required for secretion of subtilisin Carlsberg. (ii) In culture supernatants from B. subtilis harbouring the cloned wild-type subtilisin Carlsberg gene the transient appearance (at 0-3 h after onset of stationary phase) of a processing intermediate (P38c, Mr = 38 kDa) of this protease could be demonstrated. P38c very probably represents a genuine proform of subtilisin Carlsberg.

Epidemiology of human listeriosis

During the 1980s, investigation of several large epidemics of listeriosis confirmed that transmission of L. monocytogenes in food causes human disease. Progress in laboratory detection and subtyping of the organism has enhanced our ability to compare human and environmental isolates of L. monocytogenes. Transmission by foodborne organisms is now recognized as causing both epidemic and sporadic listeriosis. Continued study of dietary risk factors associated with listeriosis is needed in order to develop dietary recommendations for the expanding population at increased risk of disease. Current research application of new molecular methods to the study of L. monocytogenes may improve the ability to diagnose pregnancy-associated disease and permit the rapid detection and control of L. monocytogenes in the food supply.

Detection of Listeria species and Listeria monocytogenes using polymerase chain reaction

Five oligonucleotide sequences are described that were used as primers in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify specific sequences from Listeria DNA. When all five primers were used in combination, three PCR products were possible; a Listeria specific product that occurs with DNA from any Listeria sp., a Listeria monocytogenes specific product that occurs only in the presence of DNA from this organism and a universal product that is found using DNA from any bacterial source. The occurrence of these PCR products was used as a diagnostic test on bacteria isolated from various food samples to detect Listeria sp. and L. monocytogenes.

Use of the polymerase chain reaction for direct detection of Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheese

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification technique was investigated as a tool for direct detection of Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheeses. Different sets of oligonucleotide primers were used, and parts of the L. monocytogenes Dth 18-gene could be amplified specifically when either a plasmid vector carrying the cloned gene or chromosomal DNA was used a template. The detection limit for L. monocytogenes in dilutions of pure cultures was between 1 and 10 colony-forming units. In extracts from soft cheeses containing L. monocytogenes DNA, the amplification was strongly inhibited. This inhibition could be reduced by an additional purification step. Despite this the detection limit showed a large variation, depending on the brand of cheese used. In some cheeses 10(3) cfu/0.5g could be visualized whereas in others the presence of 10(8) cfu/0.5 g did not yield a detectable quantity of amplified product.

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by direct colony hybridization on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters by using a chromogen-labeled DNA probe

A DNA probe specific for Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a beta-hemolytic recombinant clone of an L. monocytogenes gene bank. It was labeled with horseradish peroxidase and used in a direct colony hybridization method on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters for the detection of the organism. Following color development of the chromogen, a commercial counter (HGMF Interpreter) was able to detect and count the organisms electronically. The method gave a positive reaction with 70 L. monocytogenes strains, while showing a negative reaction with 10 strains of other Listeria spp. and with 20 organisms of other genera.

Evaluation of hybridization characteristics of a cloned pRF106 probe for Listeria monocytogenes detection and development of a nonisotopic colony hybridization assay

An internal fragment (pRF106 fragment, ca. 500 bp) of a gene (msp) coding for a 60-kDa protein of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2a was used to develop a screening method to discriminate between L. monocytogenes and avirulent Listeria spp. on primary isolation plates. The L. monocytogenes-derived probe fragment of pRF106 hybridized to a 13-kb fragment of L. monocytogenes and a 3-kb fragment of one cheese isolate strain of Listeria seeligeri under stringent hybridization conditions (mean thermal denaturation temperature [Tm]-5 degrees C). The probe also hybridized to a 6-kb fragment of Listeria innocua, Listeria ivanovii, and L. seeligeri under less stringent hybridization conditions (Tm-17 degrees C). The pRF106 fragment was labeled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP and used to develop a colony hybridization assay. Colonies from lithium chloride-phenylethanol-moxalactam agar were blotted onto nylon membranes. The cells were pretreated with microwaves before lysis with sodium hydroxide. DNA-DNA hybridization and posthybridization washing were done at high stringency (Tm-7 degrees C). The nonisotopic colony hybridization procedure was specific for L. monocytogenes when evaluated against pure cultures of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species, excluding the cheese isolate of L. seeligeri. Also, it was specific for L. monocytogenes when evaluated with Listeria-negative food enrichment cultures that were inoculated in the laboratory with Listeria species.

Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolates by Southern blot hybridization

A synthetic deoxyribonucleotide probe for virulent Listeria monocytogenes, designated ADO7, was evaluated for its ability to identify restriction fragments of L. monocytogenes with nucleic acid sequences homologous with the beta-hemolysin gene by Southern blot hybridization of clinical and food isolates. The synthetic probe hybridized with three restriction fragments (approximately 1.1, 0.86, and 0.76 kb) of the serotype 1/2A isolates. Southern blot hybridization of the serogroup 4B isolates indicated that the nucleic acid sequences homologous with the beta-hemolysin gene probe were limited to a single restriction fragment of approximately 1 kb.

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by using the polymerase chain reaction

A method was developed for detection of Listeria monocytogenes by polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by agarose gel electrophoresis or dot blot analysis with a 32P-labeled internal probe. The technique identified 95 of 95 L. monocytogenes strains, 0 of 12 Listeria strains of other species, and 0 of 12 non-Listeria strains.

Characterization of a Listeria monocytogenes-specific protein capable of inducing delayed hypersensitivity in Listeria-immune mice

Recovery of the host after infection by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is dependent on cell-mediated immunity. Little is known of the nature of listerial antigens that induce cell-mediated responses in the infected host. In this study we report on the identification and cloning of an Escherichia coli recombinant encoding a listerial antigen, designated ImaA, capable of eliciting a specific delayed-type hypersensitivity response in Listeria-immune mice. Nucleotide sequencing of the Listeria DNA insert in plasmid pLM10 showed that the ImaA gene product consisted of 170 amino acids with a molecular weight of 17,994. The predicted amino acid sequence suggests that the protein is localized to the bacterial plasma membrane or cell wall. The ImaA gene was unique to the pathogenic species L. monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii; it was not present in any other species of the genus Listeria.

The gene coding for protein p60 of Listeria monocytogenes and its use as a specific probe for Listeria monocytogenes

The gene of Listeria monocytogenes that encodes a major extracellular protein (p60) was cloned in Escherichia coli. The gene was designated iap, as p60 was previously shown to represent an invasion-associated protein (M. Kuhn and W. Goebel, Infect. Immun. 57:55-61, 1989). The recombinant E. coli clone expressed p60, as shown by immunoblotting. The complete nucleotide sequence of iap was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of p60 (484 amino acids) contains a putative N-terminal signal sequence of 27 amino acids and an extended repeat region consisting of 19 threonine-asparagine units. Hybridization with the entire iap gene revealed the presence of homologous sequences in most other Listeria species. In contrast, a 400-base-pair internal iap probe which contained the whole repeat region hybridized only with genomic DNA from L. monocytogenes. Four oligonucleotides previously described as specific probes for the detection of L. monocytogenes (A. R. Datta, B. A. Wentz, D. Shook, and M. W. Trucksess, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54:2933-2937, 1988) were shown to be part of the iap gene.