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Kawacka I, Olejnik-Schmidt A. Gene emrC Associated with Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Is Common among Listeria monocytogenes from Meat Products and Meat Processing Plants in Poland. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:749. [PMID: 39200049 PMCID: PMC11350778 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: L. monocytogenes is a food pathogen of great importance, characterized by a high mortality rate. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), such as benzalkonium chloride (BC), are often used as disinfectants in food processing facilities. The effectiveness of disinfection procedures is crucial to food safety. (2) Methods: A collection of 153 isolates of L. monocytogenes from meat processing industry was analyzed for their sensitivity to BC using the agar diffusion method. Genes of interest were detected with PCR. (3) Results: Genes emrC, bcrABC, and qacH were found in 64 (41.8%), 6 (3.9%), and 1 isolate (0.7%), respectively, and 79 isolates (51.6%) were classified as having reduced sensitivity to BC. A strong correlation between carrying QACs resistance-related genes and phenotype was found (p-value < 0.0001). Among 51 isolates originating from bacon (collected over 13 months), 48 had the emrC gene, which could explain their persistent presence in a processing facility. Isolates with the ilsA gene (from LIPI-3) were significantly (p-value 0.006) less likely to carry QACs resistance-related genes. (4) Conclusions: Reduced sensitivity to QACs is common among L. monocytogenes from the meat processing industry. Persistent presence of these bacteria in a processing facility is presumably caused by emrC-induced QACs resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Kawacka
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 48, 60-627 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 48, 60-627 Poznan, Poland
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2
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Lambrechts K, Gouws P, Rip D. Genetic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes from seafood products, its processing environment, and clinical origin in the Western Cape, South Africa using whole genome sequencing. AIMS Microbiol 2024; 10:608-643. [PMID: 39219753 PMCID: PMC11362271 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2024029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a concern in seafood and its food processing environment (FPE). Several outbreaks globally have been linked to various types of seafood. Genetic profiling of L. monocytogenes is valuable to track bacterial contamination throughout the FPE and in understanding persistence mechanisms, with limited studies from South Africa. Forty-six L. monocytogenes isolates from origins: Fish/seafood products (n = 32) (salmon, smoked trout, fresh hake, oysters), the FPE (n = 6), and clinical (n = 8) were included in this study. Lineage typing, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and screening for two genes (bcrABC and emrC) conferring sanitizer tolerance was conducted. The seafood and FPE isolates originated from seven different factories processing various seafood products with undetermined origin. All clinical isolates were categorized as lineage I, and seafood and FPE isolates were mostly categorized into lineage II (p < 0.01). Seafood and FPE isolates (53%) carried the bcrABC gene cassette and one fish isolate, the emrC gene. A subset, n = 24, was grouped into serotypes, sequence types (STs), and clonal complexes (CCs) with whole genome sequencing (WGS). Eight CCs and ten STs were identified. All clinical isolates belonged to serogroup 4b, hypervirulent CC1. CC121 was the most prevalent in isolates from food and the FPE. All isolates carried Listeria pathogenicity islands (LIPI) 1 and 2. LIPI-3 and LIPI-4 were found in certain isolates. We identified genetic determinants linked to enhanced survival in the FPE, including stress survival islets (SSI) and genes conferring tolerance to sanitizers. SSI-1 was found in 44% isolates from seafood and the FPE. SSI-2 was found in all the ST121 seafood isolates. Isolates (42%) harbored transposon Tn1688_qac (ermC), conferring tolerance to quaternary ammonium compounds. Five plasmids were identified in 13 isolates from seafood and the FPE. This is the first One Health study reporting on L. monocytogenes genetic diversity, virulence and resistance profiles from various types of seafood and its FPE in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diane Rip
- Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, 7602, South Africa
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3
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Karlsmose AK, Ivanova M, Kragh ML, Kjeldgaard JS, Otani S, Svendsen CA, Papić B, Zdovc I, Tasara T, Stephan R, Heir E, Langsrud S, Møretrø T, Dalgaard P, Fagerlund A, Hansen LT, Aarestrup FM, Leekitcharoenphon P. A novel metagenomic approach uncovers phage genes as markers for increased disinfectant tolerance in mixed Listeria monocytogenes communities. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 119:105582. [PMID: 38467173 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important human pathogen with a high mortality rate. Consumption of contaminated ready-to-eat food is the main mode of transmission to humans. Disinfectant-tolerant L. monocytogenes have emerged, which are believed to have increased persistence potential. Elucidating the mechanisms of L. monocytogenes disinfectant tolerance has been the focus of previous studies using pure cultures. A limitation of such approach is the difficulty to identify strains with reduced susceptibility due to inter-strain variation and the need to screen large numbers of strains and genes. In this study, we applied a novel metagenomic approach to detect genes associated with disinfectant tolerance in mixed L. monocytogenes planktonic communities. Two communities, consisting of 71 and 80 isolates each, were treated with the food industry disinfectants benzalkonium chloride (BC, 1.75 mg/L) or peracetic acid (PAA, 38 mg/L). The communities were subjected to metagenomic sequencing and differences in individual gene abundances between biocide-free control communities and biocide-treated communities were determined. A significant increase in the abundance of Listeria phage-associated genes was observed in both communities after treatment, suggesting that prophage carriage could lead to an increased disinfectant tolerance in mixed L. monocytogenes planktonic communities. In contrast, a significant decrease in the abundance of a high-copy emrC-harbouring plasmid pLmN12-0935 was observed in both communities after treatment. In PAA-treated community, a putative ABC transporter previously found to be necessary for L. monocytogenes resistance to antimicrobial agents and virulence, was among the genes with the highest weight for differentiating treated from control samples. The undertaken metagenomic approach in this study can be applied to identify genes associated with increased tolerance to other antimicrobials in mixed bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete Kirstine Karlsmose
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mirena Ivanova
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martin Laage Kragh
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jette Sejer Kjeldgaard
- Research Group for Global Capacity Building, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Saria Otani
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christina Aaby Svendsen
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bojan Papić
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Zdovc
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Taurai Tasara
- 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
| | - Even Heir
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Solveig Langsrud
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Trond Møretrø
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Paw Dalgaard
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Annette Fagerlund
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frank M Aarestrup
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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4
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Chowdhury B, Anand S. Environmental persistence of Listeria monocytogenes and its implications in dairy processing plants. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:4573-4599. [PMID: 37680027 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13234] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Listeriosis, an invasive illness with a fatality rate between 20% and 30%, is caused by the ubiquitous bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Human listeriosis has long been associated with foods. This is because the ubiquitous nature of the bacteria renders it a common food contaminant, posing a significant risk to the food processing sector. Although several sophisticated stress coping mechanisms have been identified as significant contributing factors toward the pathogen's persistence, a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying persistence across various strains remains limited. Moreover, aside from genetic aspects that promote the ability to cope with stress, various environmental factors that exist in food manufacturing plants could also contribute to the persistence of the pathogen. The objective of this review is to provide insight into the challenges faced by the dairy industry because of the pathogens' environmental persistence. Additionally, it also aims to emphasize the diverse adaptation and response mechanisms utilized by L. monocytogenes in food manufacturing plants to evade environmental stressors. The persistence of L. monocytogenes in the food processing environment poses a serious threat to food safety and public health. The emergence of areas with high levels of L. monocytogenes contamination could facilitate Listeria transmission through aerosols, potentially leading to the recontamination of food, particularly from floors and drains, when sanitation is implemented alongside product manufacturing. Hence, to produce safe dairy products and reduce the frequency of outbreaks of listeriosis, it is crucial to understand the factors that contribute to the persistence of this pathogen and to implement efficient control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaswati Chowdhury
- Department of Dairy and Food Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
| | - Sanjeev Anand
- Department of Dairy and Food Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
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5
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Byun KH, Kim HJ. Survival strategies of Listeria monocytogenes to environmental hostile stress: biofilm formation and stress responses. Food Sci Biotechnol 2023; 32:1631-1651. [PMID: 37780599 PMCID: PMC10533466 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-023-01427-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a critical foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and threatens public health. This pathogenic microorganism forms a transmission cycle in nature, food industry, and humans, expanding the areas of contamination among them and influencing food safety. L. monocytogenes forms biofilms to protect itself and promotes survival through stress responses to the various stresses (e.g., temperature, pH, and antimicrobial agents) that may be inflicted during food processing. Biofilms and mechanisms of resistance to hostile external or general stresses allow L. monocytogenes to survive despite a variety of efforts to ensure food safety. The current review article focuses on biofilm formation, resistance mechanisms through biofilms, and external specific or general stress responses of L. monocytogenes to help understand the unexpected survival rates of this bacterium; it also proposes the use of obstacle technology to effectively cope with it in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kye-Hwan Byun
- Food Safety and Distribution Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Wanju, 55365 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Kim
- Food Safety and Distribution Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Wanju, 55365 Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113 Republic of Korea
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6
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Mao P, Wang Y, Li L, Ji S, Li P, Liu L, Chen J, Sun H, Luo X, Ye C. The Isolation, Genetic Analysis and Biofilm Characteristics of Listeria spp. from the Marine Environment in China. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2166. [PMID: 37764010 PMCID: PMC10535974 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogen that can cause listeriosis. Despite the growing recognition of Listeria spp. as a foodborne and environmental pathogen, the understanding of its prevalence and characteristics of Listeria spp. in the marine environment remains unknown. In this study, we first investigated the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of Listeria species isolated in a coastal city in China. The findings revealed that the sequence type 87 (ST87) L. monocytogenes, a prevalent clinical and seafood strain in China, dominates in recreational beach sands and possesses a notable biofilm-forming capacity in seawater. The presence of ST87 L. monocytogenes in coastal environments indicates the potential health risks for both recreational activities and seafood consumption. Moreover, the ST121 isolates from sand had a versatile plasmid encoding multifunctional genes, including uvrX for UV resistance, gbuC for salt resistance, and npx for oxidative resistance and multiple transposases, which potentially aid in survival under natural environments. Black-headed gulls potentially facilitate the spread of L. monocytogenes, with similar ST35 strains found in gulls and beach sand. As a reservoir of microbes from marine environments and human/animal excrement, coastal sand would play an important role in the spread of L. monocytogenes and is an environmental risk for human listeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Changyun Ye
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (P.M.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (S.J.); (P.L.); (L.L.); (J.C.); (H.S.); (X.L.)
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7
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Song Z, Ji S, Wang Y, Luo L, Wang Y, Mao P, Li L, Jiang H, Ye C. The population structure and genetic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes ST9 strains based on genomic analysis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:982220. [PMID: 36425025 PMCID: PMC9680904 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.982220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous foodborne pathogen causing both invasive and non-invasive listeriosis. Sequence type (ST) 9 strains is common in food and food processing environments. In this study, the whole-genome sequences (WGS) of 207 ST9 isolates from different sources, geographical locations (14 countries), and isolated years were analyzed. The ST9 isolates were divided into three clusters after phylogenetic analysis; 67.63% of ST9 isolates contained putative plasmids with different sizes and genomic structure, the putative prophages inserted in the chromosome at ten hotspots, and seven types of premature stop codon (PMSC) mutations in inlA were found in 81.86% of the ST9 isolates. In addition, 78.26% of ST9 isolates harbored Tn554-like elements carrying arsenic resistance genes. All the ST9 isolates conservatively contained environment-resistance genes on the chromosome. This analysis of population structures and features of ST9 isolates was aimed to help develop effective strategies to control this prevalent pathogen in the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexuan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shunshi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan Luo
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yiqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Huaying Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People's Hospital of Xindu District, Chengdu, China
| | - Changyun Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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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.
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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
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9
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Daeschel D, Pettengill JB, Wang Y, Chen Y, Allard M, Snyder AB. Genomic analysis of Listeria monocytogenes from US food processing environments reveals a high prevalence of QAC efflux genes but limited evidence of their contribution to environmental persistence. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:488. [PMID: 35787787 PMCID: PMC9252043 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08695-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) efflux genes increase the minimum inhibitory concentration of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) to benzalkonium chloride sanitizer, but the contribution of these genes to persistence in food processing environments is unclear. The goal of this study was to leverage genomic data and associated metadata for 4969 Lm isolates collected between 1999 and 2019 to: (1) evaluate the prevalence of QAC efflux genes among Lm isolates from diverse US food processors, (2) use comparative genomic analyses to assess confounding factors, such as clonal complex identity and stress tolerance genotypes, and (3) identify patterns in QAC efflux gene gain and loss among persistent clones within specific facilities over time. Results The QAC efflux gene cassette bcrABC was present in nearly half (46%) of all isolates. QAC efflux gene prevalence among isolates was associated with clonal complex (𝛘2 < 0.001) and clonal complex was associated with the facility type (𝛘2 < 0.001). Consequently, changes in the prevalence of QAC efflux genes within individual facilities were generally attributable to changes in the prevalence of specific clonal complexes. Additionally, a GWAS and targeted BLAST search revealed that clonal complexes with a high prevalence of QAC efflux genes commonly possessed other stress tolerance genes. For example, a high prevalence of bcrABC in a clonal complex was significantly associated with the presence of the SSI-1 gene cluster (p < 0.05). QAC efflux gene gain and loss were both observed among persistent populations of Lm in individual facilities, suggesting a limited direct role for QAC efflux genes as predictors of persistence. Conclusion This study suggests that although there is evidence that QAC efflux genes are part of a suite of adaptations common among Lm isolated from some food production environments, these genes may be neither sufficient nor necessary to enhance persistence. This is a crucial distinction for decision making in the food industry. For example, changes to sanitizer regimen targeting QAC tolerance would not address other contributing genetic or non-genetic factors, such as equipment hygienic design which physically mediates sanitizer exposure. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08695-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin Daeschel
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - James B Pettengill
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Staff, Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Staff, Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yi Chen
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Marc Allard
- Division of Microbiology, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Abigail B Snyder
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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10
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Osek J, Lachtara B, Wieczorek K. Listeria monocytogenes - How This Pathogen Survives in Food-Production Environments? Front Microbiol 2022; 13:866462. [PMID: 35558128 PMCID: PMC9087598 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.866462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of human listeriosis, a severe disease, especially dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women, and newborns. Although this infection is comparatively rare, it is often associated with a significant mortality rate of 20-30% worldwide. Therefore, this microorganism has an important impact on food safety. L. monocytogenes can adapt, survive and even grow over a wide range of food production environmental stress conditions such as temperatures, low and high pH, high salt concentration, ultraviolet lights, presence of biocides and heavy metals. Furthermore, this bacterium is also able to form biofilm structures on a variety of surfaces in food production environments which makes it difficult to remove and allows it to persist for a long time. This increases the risk of contamination of food production facilities and finally foods. The present review focuses on the key issues related to the molecular mechanisms of the pathogen survival and adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. Knowledge and understanding of the L. monocytogenes adaptation approaches to environmental stress factors will have a significant influence on the development of new, efficient, and cost-effective methods of the pathogen control in the food industry, which is critical to ensure food production safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Osek
- Department of Hygiene of Food of Animal Origin, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
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11
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Lachtara B, Wieczorek K, Osek J. Genetic Diversity and Relationships of Listeria monocytogenes Serogroup IIa Isolated in Poland. Microorganisms 2022; 10:532. [PMID: 35336111 PMCID: PMC8951407 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, 100 L. monocytogenes isolates of serogroup IIa from food and food production environments in Poland were characterized towards the presence of virulence, resistance, and stress response genes using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The strains were also molecularly typed and compared with multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and core genome MLST analyses. The present isolates were grouped into 6 sublineages (SLs), with the most prevalent SL155 (33 isolates), SL121 (32 isolates), and SL8 (28 isolates) and classified into six clonal complexes, with the most prevalent CC155 (33 strains), CC121 (32 isolates), and CC8 (28 strains). Furthermore, the strains were grouped to eight sequence types, with the most prevalent ST155 (33 strains), ST121 (30 isolates), and ST8 (28; strains) followed by 60 cgMLST types (CTs). WGS data showed the presence of several virulence genes or putative molecular markers playing a role in pathogenesis of listeriosis and involved in survival of L. monocytogenes in adverse environmental conditions. Some of the present strains were molecularly closely related to L. monocytogenes previously isolated in Poland. The results of the study showed that food and food production environments may be a source of L. monocytogenes of serogroup IIa with pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacek Osek
- Department of Hygiene of Food of Animal Origin, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (B.L.); (K.W.)
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12
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Butucel E, Balta I, Ahmadi M, Dumitrescu G, Morariu F, Pet I, Stef L, Corcionivoschi N. Biocides as Biomedicines against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020379. [PMID: 35203588 PMCID: PMC8962343 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biocides are currently considered the first line of defense against foodborne pathogens in hospitals or food processing facilities due to the versatility and efficiency of their chemical active ingredients. Understanding the biological mechanisms responsible for their increased efficiency, especially when used against foodborne pathogens on contaminated surfaces and materials, represents an essential first step in the implementation of efficient strategies for disinfection as choosing an unsuitable product can lead to antibiocide resistance or antibiotic–biocide cross-resistance. This review describes these biological mechanisms for the most common foodborne pathogens and focuses mainly on the antipathogen effect, highlighting the latest developments based on in vitro and in vivo studies. We focus on biocides with inhibitory effects against foodborne bacteria (e.g., Escherichia spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp.), aiming to understand their biological mechanisms of action by looking at the most recent scientific evidence in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Butucel
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK; (E.B.); (I.B.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Igori Balta
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK; (E.B.); (I.B.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirela Ahmadi
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Gabi Dumitrescu
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Florica Morariu
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Ioan Pet
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
| | - Lavinia Stef
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Nicolae Corcionivoschi
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK; (E.B.); (I.B.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat University of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine—King Michael I of Romania, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (M.A.); (G.D.); (F.M.); (I.P.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (N.C.)
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13
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Muchaamba F, Wambui J, Stephan R, Tasara T. Cold Shock Proteins Promote Nisin Tolerance in Listeria monocytogenes Through Modulation of Cell Envelope Modification Responses. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:811939. [PMID: 35003042 PMCID: PMC8740179 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.811939] [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: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes continues to be a food safety challenge owing to its stress tolerance and virulence traits. Several listeriosis outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of contaminated ready-to-eat food products. Numerous interventions, including nisin application, are presently employed to mitigate against L. monocytogenes risk in food products. In response, L. monocytogenes deploys several defense mechanisms, reducing nisin efficacy, that are not yet fully understood. Cold shock proteins (Csps) are small, highly conserved nucleic acid-binding proteins involved in several gene regulatory processes to mediate various stress responses in bacteria. L. monocytogenes possesses three csp gene paralogs; cspA, cspB, and cspD. Using a panel of single, double, and triple csp gene deletion mutants, the role of Csps in L. monocytogenes nisin tolerance was examined, demonstrating their importance in nisin stress responses of this bacterium. Without csp genes, a L. monocytogenes ΔcspABD mutant displayed severely compromised growth under nisin stress. Characterizing single (ΔcspA, ΔcspB, and ΔcspD) and double (ΔcspBD, ΔcspAD, and ΔcspAB) csp gene deletion mutants revealed a hierarchy (cspD > cspB > cspA) of importance in csp gene contributions toward the L. monocytogenes nisin tolerance phenotype. Individual eliminations of either cspA or cspB improved the nisin stress tolerance phenotype, suggesting that their expression has a curbing effect on the expression of nisin resistance functions through CspD. Gene expression analysis revealed that Csp deficiency altered the expression of DltA, MprF, and penicillin-binding protein-encoding genes. Furthermore, the ΔcspABD mutation induced an overall more electronegative cell surface, enhancing sensitivity to nisin and other cationic antimicrobials as well as the quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant benzalkonium chloride. These observations demonstrate that the molecular functions of Csps regulate systems important for enabling the constitution and maintenance of an optimal composed cell envelope that protects against cell-envelope-targeting stressors, including nisin. Overall, our data show an important contribution of Csps for L. monocytogenes stress protection in food environments where antimicrobial peptides are used. Such knowledge can be harnessed in the development of better L. monocytogenes control strategies. Furthermore, the potential that Csps have in inducing cross-protection must be considered when combining hurdle techniques or using them in a series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Muchaamba
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Wambui
- 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
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14
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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.
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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
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15
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Chmielowska C, Korsak D, Chapkauskaitse E, Decewicz P, Lasek R, Szuplewska M, Bartosik D. Plasmidome of Listeria spp.-The repA-Family Business. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910320. [PMID: 34638661 PMCID: PMC8508797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Listeria (phylum Firmicutes) include both human and animal pathogens, as well as saprophytic strains. A common component of Listeria spp. genomes are plasmids, i.e., extrachromosomal replicons that contribute to gene flux in bacteria. This study provides an in-depth insight into the structure, diversity and evolution of plasmids occurring in Listeria strains inhabiting various environments under different anthropogenic pressures. Apart from the components of the conserved plasmid backbone (providing replication, stable maintenance and conjugational transfer functions), these replicons contain numerous adaptive genes possibly involved in: (i) resistance to antibiotics, heavy metals, metalloids and sanitizers, and (ii) responses to heat, oxidative, acid and high salinity stressors. Their genomes are also enriched by numerous transposable elements, which have influenced the plasmid architecture. The plasmidome of Listeria is dominated by a group of related replicons encoding the RepA replication initiation protein. Detailed comparative analyses provide valuable data on the level of conservation of these replicons and their role in shaping the structure of the Listeria pangenome, as well as their relationship to plasmids of other genera of Firmicutes, which demonstrates the range and direction of flow of genetic information in this important group of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora Chmielowska
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (E.C.); (R.L.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Dorota Korsak
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Elvira Chapkauskaitse
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (E.C.); (R.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Przemysław Decewicz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Robert Lasek
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (E.C.); (R.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Magdalena Szuplewska
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (E.C.); (R.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Dariusz Bartosik
- Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (E.C.); (R.L.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (D.B.)
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16
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Sudagidan M, Yildiz G, Onen S, Al R, Temiz ŞN, Yurt MNZ, Tasbasi BB, Acar EE, Coban A, Aydin A, Dursun AD, Ozalp VC. Targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles for improved inhibition of disinfectant resistant Listeria monocytogenes and lower environmental pollution. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 418:126364. [PMID: 34329020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common ingredient of disinfectants used for industrial, medical, food safety and domestic applications. It is a common pollutant detected in surface and wastewaters to induce adverse effects on Human health as well as aquatic and terrestrial life forms. Since disinfectant use is essential in combatting against microorganisms, the best approach to reduce ecotoxicity level is to restrict BAC use. We report here that encapsulation of BAC in mesoporous silica nanoparticles can provide an efficient strategy for inhibition of microbial activity with lower than usual concentrations of disinfectants. As a proof-of-concept, Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nanomaterial encapsulated BAC. Aptamer molecular gate structures provided a specific targeting of the disinfectant to Listeria cells, leading to high BAC concentrations around bacterial cells, but significantly reduced amounts in total. This strategy allowed to inhibition of BAC resistant Listeria strains with 8 times less the usual disinfectant dose. BAC encapsulated and aptamer functionalized silica nanoparticles (AptBACNP) effectively killed only target bacteria L. monocytogenes, but not the non-target cells, Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli. AptBACNP was not cytotoxic to Human cells as determined by in vitro viability assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mert Sudagidan
- Kit-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Turkey.
| | - Gulsah Yildiz
- Kit-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Turkey.
| | - Selin Onen
- Department of Biology, Medical School, Atilim University, 06830 Ankara, Turkey; Department of Stem Cell Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
| | - Rabia Al
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, 48000 Muğla, Turkey.
| | | | | | - Behiye Busra Tasbasi
- Kit-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Turkey.
| | - Elif Esma Acar
- Kit-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Turkey.
| | - Aysen Coban
- Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Istanbul Gedik University, Kartal, 34876 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ali Aydin
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ali D Dursun
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, Atilim University, 06830 Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Veli C Ozalp
- Department of Biology, Medical School, Atilim University, 06830 Ankara, Turkey.
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17
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Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Skowron K, Grudlewska-Buda K, Wałecka-Zacharska E, Korkus J, Gospodarek-Komkowska E. Adaptive Response of Listeria monocytogenes to the Stress Factors in the Food Processing Environment. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:710085. [PMID: 34489900 PMCID: PMC8417233 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.710085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes are Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming bacteria that easily adapt to changing environmental conditions. The ability to grow at a wide range of temperatures, pH, and salinity determines the presence of the pathogen in water, sewage, soil, decaying vegetation, and animal feed. L. monocytogenes is an etiological factor of listeriosis, especially dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women, and newborns. The major source of L. monocytogenes for humans is food, including fresh and smoked products. Its high prevalence in food is associated with bacterial adaptation to the food processing environment (FPE). Since the number of listeriosis cases has been progressively increasing an efficient eradication of the pathogen from the FPE is crucial. Understanding the mechanisms of bacterial adaptation to environmental stress will significantly contribute to developing novel, effective methods of controlling L. monocytogenes in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke
- Department of Microbiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Department of Microbiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Grudlewska-Buda
- Department of Microbiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Ewa Wałecka-Zacharska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Consumer Health, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jakub Korkus
- Department of Food Hygiene and Consumer Health, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska
- Department of Microbiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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18
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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.
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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
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Mao P, Wang Y, Gan L, Sun H, Wang Y, Li L, Ji S, Song Z, Jiang H, Ye C. Function and distribution of the conjugative plasmid pLM1686 in foodborne Listeria monocytogenes in China. Int J Food Microbiol 2021; 352:109261. [PMID: 34116256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, a fatal foodborne pathogen has the extraordinary capacity to survive in harsh conditions and is a potential threat to public health. A novel 91 kb plasmid pLM1686 was found in the prevalent L. monocytogenes sequence type (ST) 87 strain in China. In this study, the function and distribution of pLM1686 were firstly investigated in L. monocytogenes. The results showed plasmid pLM1686 had self-transmissible ability and existed in various types of L. monocytogenes isolates belonging to two lineages (lineage I and II), four serotypes (1/2b, 3b, 1/2c and 1/2a) and four STs (ST87, ST59, ST9 and ST120). The wild strain LM1686 and transconjugant strain 10403SP1686 exhibited significantly higher growth rate and biofilm formation in Modification of Welshimer's medium (MWB), greater salinity tolerance, stronger cell invasion and higher cytotoxicity than plasmid-cured strain and reference strain 10403S. Moreover, plasmid curing caused the loss of cadmium resistance of strain, and the recipient strain acquired cadmium resistance after conjugation. Thus, pLM1686 would provide L. monocytogenes advantages of surviving in adverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lin Gan
- Department of Bacteriology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yiqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lingling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shunshi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zexuan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Huaying Jiang
- People's Hospital of Xindu District, Chengdu 610500, China
| | - Changyun Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
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20
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Palaiodimou L, Fanning S, Fox EM. Genomic insights into persistence of Listeria species in the food processing environment. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:2082-2094. [PMID: 33768629 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Listeria species may colonize and persist in food processing facilities for prolonged periods of time, despite hygiene interventions in place. To understand the genetic factors contributing to persistence of Listeria strains, this study undertook a comparative analysis of seven persistent and six presumed non-persistent strains, isolated from a single food processing environment, to identify genetic markers correlating to promoting persistence of Listeria strains, through whole genome sequence analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS A diverse pool of genetic markers relevant to hygiene tolerance was identified, including disinfectant resistance markers qacH, emrC and the efflux cassette bcrABC. Both persistent and presumed non-persistent cohorts encoded a range of stress resistance markers, including heavy metal resistance, oxidative and pH stress, although trends were associated with each cohort (e.g., qacH and cadA1C resistance was more frequently found in persistent isolates). Persistent isolates were more likely to contain mutations associated with attenuated virulence, including a truncated InlA. Plasmids and transposons were widespread between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that no single genetic marker identified was universally responsible for a strain's ability to persist. Persistent strains were more likely to harbour mutation associated with hypovirulence. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study provides additional insights into the distribution of genetic elements relevant to persistence across Listeria species, as well as strain virulence potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Palaiodimou
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - E M Fox
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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21
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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.
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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
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22
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Pérez-Baltar A, Pérez-Boto D, Medina M, Montiel R. Genomic diversity and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes from dry-cured ham processing plants. Food Microbiol 2021; 99:103779. [PMID: 34119091 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Genomic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from the deboning and slicing areas of three dry-cured ham processing plants was analysed. L. monocytogenes was detected in 58 out of 491 samples from the environment and equipment surfaces, all from the deboning area, with differences in prevalence among facilities. The most frequent PCR-serogroup was IIa (74.1%) followed by IIb and IIc, and only one isolate was serogroup IVb. Twenty different pulsotypes and 11 sequence types (STs) grouped into 10 clonal complexes (CCs) were determined. ST121 (CC121) and ST9 (CC9) were the most abundant. Premature stop codons (PMSC6 and PMSC19) associated with attenuated virulence were found in the inlA sequence in 7 out of 12 selected strains. CC121 strains were strong biofilm formers and some harboured the transposon Tn6188, related with increased tolerance to quaternary ammonium compounds. L. monocytogenes clones considered hypovirulent resulted predominant in the deboning areas. The clonal structure and potential virulence of the isolates could help to establish adequate control measures and cleaning protocols for the comprehensive elimination of the pathogen in dry-cured ham processing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Pérez-Baltar
- Departamento Tecnología de Alimentos, INIA, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Pérez-Boto
- Departamento Tecnología de Alimentos, INIA, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Medina
- Departamento Tecnología de Alimentos, INIA, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Montiel
- Departamento Tecnología de Alimentos, INIA, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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23
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Chmielowska C, Korsak D, Szuplewska M, Grzelecka M, Maćkiw E, Stasiak M, Macion A, Skowron K, Bartosik D. Benzalkonium chloride and heavy metal resistance profiles of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from fish, fish products and food-producing factories in Poland. Food Microbiol 2021; 98:103756. [PMID: 33875198 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic and genotypic resistance to benzalkonium chloride (BC), cadmium and arsenic was tested (by susceptibility assays and molecular methods) in 287 Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from fish and fish products, and food-producing factories in Poland. Overall, 40% of the isolates were resistant to BC, 56% to cadmium and 41% to arsenic (57% displayed resistance to more than one of the tested compounds). Among BC-resistant isolates, the most commonly detected resistance determinant was the qacH gene (83%). Three distinct types of cadA gene determining resistance to cadmium were detected, with the cadA1 variant predominant (88%), while most arsenic-resistant isolates (86%) harbored the arsA gene associated with a Tn554-like transposon (one strain harbored two copies of arsA in different arsenic resistance cassettes). 53% of all tested isolates contained plasmids (from 4 kb to > 90 kb in size), which were classified into 11 groups (p1-p11) based on their restriction patterns. Interestingly, 12 isolates harbored the small mobilizable pLMST6-like plasmid pLIS3 encoding multidrug efflux pump EmrC. Clustering analysis of PFGE patterns revealed that these isolates represent several diverse bacterial populations, which strongly suggests mobility of the pLMST6-like plasmids among L. monocytogenes strains and their role in dissemination of BC resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora Chmielowska
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Korsak
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Szuplewska
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Grzelecka
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Maćkiw
- National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene, Department of Food Safety, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Stasiak
- National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene, Department of Food Safety, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Macion
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier, Department of Microbiology, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Bartosik
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Department of Bacterial Genetics, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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24
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Duze ST, Marimani M, Patel M. Tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes to biocides used in food processing environments. Food Microbiol 2021; 97:103758. [PMID: 33653529 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes a life-threatening disease in humans known as listeriosis. Contamination of food during processing is the main route of transmission of Listeria monocytogenes. Therefore, biocides play a crucial role in food processing environments as they act as the first line of defense in the prevention and control of L. monocytogenes. Residues of biocides may be present at sublethal concentrations after disinfection. This, unfortunately, subjects L. monocytogenes to selection pressure, giving rise to tolerant strains, which pose a threat to food safety and public health. This review will give a brief description of L. monocytogenes, the clinical manifestation, treatment of listeriosis as well as recently recorded outbreaks. The article will then discuss the current literature on the ability of L. monocytogenes strains to tolerate biocides especially quaternary ammonium compounds as well as the mechanisms of tolerance towards biocides including the activation of efflux pump systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanelisiwe Thinasonke Duze
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Musa Marimani
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Mrudula Patel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Services and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
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25
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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.
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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
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26
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Alvarez-Molina A, Cobo-Díaz JF, López M, Prieto M, de Toro M, Alvarez-Ordóñez A. Unraveling the emergence and population diversity of Listeria monocytogenes in a newly built meat facility through whole genome sequencing. Int J Food Microbiol 2021; 340:109043. [PMID: 33454520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The food processing environments of a newly opened meat processing facility were sampled in ten visits carried out during its first 1.5 years of activity and analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 18 L. monocytogenes isolates were obtained from 229 samples, and their genomes were sequenced to perform comparative genomic analyses. An increase in the frequency of isolation of L. monocytogenes and in the diversity of sequence types (STs) detected was observed along time. Although the strains isolated belonged to six different STs (ST8, ST9, ST14, ST37, ST121 and ST155), ST9 was the most abundant (8 out of 18 strains). Low (0 and 2) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances were found between two pairs of ST9 strains isolated in both cases 3 months apart from the same processing room (Lm-1267 and Lm-1705, with a 2 SNPs distance in the core genome; Lm-1265 and Lm-1706, with a 0 SNPs distance), which suggests that these strains may be persistent L. monocytogenes strains in the food processing environment. Most strains showed an in silico attenuated virulence potential either through the truncation of InlA (in 67% of the isolates) or the absence of other virulence factors involved in cell adhesion or invasion. Twelve of the eighteen L. monocytogenes isolates contained a plasmid, which ranged in size from 4 to 87 Kb and harbored stress survival, in addition to heavy metals and biocides resistance determinants. Identical or highly similar plasmids were identified for various sets of L. monocytogenes ST9 isolates, which suggests the clonal expansion and persistence of plasmid-containing ST9 strains in the processing environments of the meat facility. Finally, the analysis of the L. monocytogenes genomes available in the NCBI database, and their associated metadata, evidenced that strains from ST9 are more frequently reported in Europe, linked to foods, particularly to meat and pork products, and less represented among clinical isolates than other L. monocytogenes STs. It also showed that the ST9 strains here isolated were more closely related to the European isolates, which clustered together and separated from ST9 North American isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José F Cobo-Díaz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Mercedes López
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Prieto
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María de Toro
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Center of La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Avelino Alvarez-Ordóñez
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, León, Spain.
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27
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28
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Wambui J, Eshwar AK, Aalto-Araneda M, Pöntinen A, Stevens MJA, Njage PMK, Tasara T. The Analysis of Field Strains Isolated From Food, Animal and Clinical Sources Uncovers Natural Mutations in Listeria monocytogenes Nisin Resistance Genes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:549531. [PMID: 33123101 PMCID: PMC7574537 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.549531] [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: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nisin is a commonly used bacteriocin for controlling spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in food products. Strains possessing high natural nisin resistance that reduce or increase the potency of this bacteriocin against Listeria monocytogenes have been described. Our study sought to gather more insights into nisin resistance mechanisms in natural L. monocytogenes populations by examining a collection of 356 field strains that were isolated from different foods, food production environments, animals and human infections. A growth curve analysis-based approach was used to access nisin inhibition levels and assign the L. monocytogenes strains into three nisin response phenotypic categories; resistant (66%), intermediate (26%), and sensitive (8%). Using this categorization isolation source, serotype, genetic lineage, clonal complex (CC) and strain-dependent natural variation in nisin phenotypic resistance among L. monocytogenes field strains was revealed. Whole genome sequence analysis and comparison of high nisin resistant and sensitive strains led to the identification of new naturally occurring mutations in nisin response genes associated with increased nisin resistance and sensitivity in this bacterium. Increased nisin resistance was detected in strains harboring RsbUG77S and PBPB3V240F amino acid substitution mutations, which also showed increased detergent stress resistance as well as increased virulence in a zebra fish infection model. On the other hand, increased natural nisin sensitivity was detected among strains with mutations in sigB, vir, and dlt operons that also showed increased lysozyme sensitivity and lower virulence. Overall, our study identified naturally selected mutations involving pbpB3 (lm0441) as well as sigB, vir, and dlt operon genes that are associated with intrinsic nisin resistance in L. monocytogenes field strains recovered from various food and human associated sources. Finally, we show that combining growth parameter-based phenotypic analysis and genome sequencing is an effective approach that can be useful for the identification of novel nisin response associated genetic variants among L. monocytogenes field strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Wambui
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Athmanya K Eshwar
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mariella Aalto-Araneda
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Pöntinen
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marc J A Stevens
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick M K Njage
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Division for Global Surveillance, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kengens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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29
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López-Alonso V, Ortiz S, Corujo A, Martínez-Suárez JV. Analysis of Benzalkonium Chloride Resistance and Potential Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Different Stages of a Poultry Production Chain in Spain. J Food Prot 2020; 83:443-451. [PMID: 32053831 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-19-289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes can survive in food production facilities and can be transmitted via contamination of food during the various stages of food production. This study was conducted to compile the results of three independent previous studies on the genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes in a poultry production company in Spain and to determine the potential virulence and sanitizer resistance of the strains by using both genotype and phenotype analyses. L. monocytogenes was detected at three production stages: a broiler abattoir, a processing plant, and retail stores marketing fresh poultry products from the same company. These three stages spanned three locations in three provinces of Spain. A set of 347 L. monocytogenes isolates representing 39 subtypes was obtained using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A total of 28 subtypes (68%) had a full-length internalin A gene, and two subtypes had a phenotype with low potential for virulence because of a mutation in the prfA gene. A total of 32 subtypes (82%) were classified as benzalkonium chloride resistant (BAC-R) and contained the resistance determinant bcrABC (21 subtypes, 54%) or the resistance gene qacH (11 subtypes, 28%). A total of 13 persistent BAC-R subtypes (minimum of 3 months between the first and last sample from with the isolate was recovered) were identified at the abattoir and processing plant. The three production stages shared a unique subtype (PFGE type 1), which had the mutation in the prfA gene and the bcrABC resistance determinant. Whole genome sequencing revealed this subtype to be sequence type 31. Limited genetic diversity was noted in the isolates studied, including some subtypes that were persistent in the environment of the investigated facilities. Given the high prevalence of BAC-R subtypes, these results support the association between resistance to biocides and persistence of L. monocytogenes. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria López-Alonso
- Unidad de Biología Computacional, UFIEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sagrario Ortiz
- Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Autovía A-6 km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo Corujo
- Nutreco Food Research Center, Ctra. CM 4004 km 10.5, 45950 Casarrubios del Monte, Toledo, Spain
| | - Joaquín V Martínez-Suárez
- Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Autovía A-6 km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.,(ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4306-3223 [J.V.M.-S.])
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