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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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2
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Manqele A, Adesiyun A, Mafuna T, Pierneef R, Moerane R, Gcebe N. Virulence Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Beef and Beef-Based Products Deciphered Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1166. [PMID: 38930548 PMCID: PMC11205329 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061166] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous bacterial pathogen that threatens the food chain and human health. In this study, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used for the genomic characterization of L. monocytogenes (n = 24) from beef and beef-based products. Multilocus Sequence Type (MLST) analysis revealed that ST204 of CC204 was the most common sequence type (ST). Other sequence types detected included ST1 and ST876 of CC1, ST5 of CC5, ST9 of CC9, ST88 of CC88, ST2 and ST1430 of CC2, and ST321 of CC321. Genes encoding for virulence factors included complete LIPI-1 (pfrA-hly-plcA-plcB-mpl-actA) from 54% (13/24) of the isolates of ST204, ST321, ST1430, and ST9 and internalin genes inlABC that were present in all the STs. All the L. monocytogenes STs carried four intrinsic/natural resistance genes, fosX, lin, norB, and mprF, conferring resistance to fosfomycin, lincosamide, quinolones, and cationic peptides, respectively. Plasmids pLGUG1 and J1776 were the most detected (54% each), followed by pLI100 (13%) and pLM5578 (7%). The prophage profile, vB_LmoS_188, was overrepresented amongst the isolates, followed by LP_101, LmoS_293_028989, LP_030_2_021539, A006, and LP_HM00113468. Listeria genomic island 2 (LGI-2) was found to be present in all the isolates, while Listeria genomic island 3 (LGI-3) was present in a subset of isolates (25%). The type VII secretion system was found in 42% of the isolates, and sortase A was present in all L. monocytogenes genomes. Mobile genetic elements and genomic islands did not harbor any virulence, resistance, or environmental adaptation genes that may benefit L. monocytogenes. All the STs did not carry genes that confer resistance to first-line antibiotics used for the treatment of listeriosis. The characterization of L. monocytogenes in our study highlighted the environmental resistance and virulence potential of L. monocytogenes and the risk posed to the public, as this bacterium is frequently found in food and food processing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayanda Manqele
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Abiodun Adesiyun
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 999183, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Thendo Mafuna
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 20062028, South Africa
| | - Rian Pierneef
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- SARChI Chair: Marine Microbiomics, microbiome@UP, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Rebone Moerane
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Nomakorinte Gcebe
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
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Gana J, Gcebe N, Pierneef RE, Chen Y, Moerane R, Adesiyun AA. Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from the Beef Production Chain in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1003. [PMID: 38792832 PMCID: PMC11123765 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051003] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The study used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis for the genomic characterization of 60 isolates of Listeria monocytogenes obtained from the beef production chain (cattle farms, abattoirs, and retail outlets) in Gauteng province, South Africa. The sequence types (STs), clonal complexes (CCs), and the lineages of the isolates were determined using in silico multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We used BLAST-based analyses to identify virulence and antimicrobial genes, plasmids, proviruses/prophages, and the CRISPR-Cas system. The study investigated any association of the detected genes to the origin in the beef production chain of the L. monocytogenes isolates. Overall, in 60 isolates of Listeria monocytogenes, there were seven STs, six CCs, forty-four putative virulence factors, two resistance genes, one plasmid with AMR genes, and three with conjugative genes, one CRISPR gene, and all 60 isolates were positive for proviruses/prophages. Among the seven STs detected, ST204 (46.7%) and ST2 (21.7%) were the most prominent, with ST frequency varying significantly (p < 0.001). The predominant CC detected were CC2 (21.7%) and CC204 (46.7%) in lineages I and II, respectively. Of the 44 virulence factors detected, 26 (across Listeria Pathogenicity Islands, LIPIs) were present in all the isolates. The difference in the detection frequency varied significantly (p < 0.001). The two AMR genes (fosX and vga(G)) detected were present in all 60 (100%) isolates of L. monocytogenes. The only plasmid, NF033156, was present in three (5%) isolates. A CRISPR-Cas system was detected in six (10%), and all the isolates carried proviruses/prophages. The source and sample type significantly affected the frequencies of STs and virulence factors in the isolates of L. monocytogenes. The presence of fosX and vga(G) genes in all L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from the three industries of the beef production chain can potentially cause therapeutic implications. Our study, which characterized L. monocytogenes recovered from the three levels in the beef production chain, is the first time genomics was performed on this type of data set in the country, and this provides insights into the health implications of Listeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Gana
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (J.G.); (R.M.)
- Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Kontagora 923101, Niger State, Nigeria
| | - Nomakorinte Gcebe
- Bacteriology Department, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria 0110, South Africa;
| | - Rian Edward Pierneef
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Microbiome@UP, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Yi Chen
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Dr. Room 4E-007/Mailstop HFS-710, College Park, MD 20740, USA;
| | - Rebone Moerane
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (J.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Abiodun Adewale Adesiyun
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa; (J.G.); (R.M.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 685509, Trinidad and Tobago
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Lagarde J, Feurer C, Denis M, Douarre PE, Piveteau P, Roussel S. Listeria monocytogenes prevalence and genomic diversity along the pig and pork production chain. Food Microbiol 2024; 119:104430. [PMID: 38225039 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe invasive illness. This ubiquitous species is widely distributed in the environment, but infection occurs almost exclusively through ingestion of contaminated food. The pork production sector has been heavily affected by a series of L. monocytogenes-related foodborne outbreaks in the past around the world. Ready-to-eat (RTE) pork products represent one of the main food sources for strong-evidence listeriosis outbreaks. This pathogen is known to be present throughout the entire pig and pork production chain. Some studies hypothesized that the main source of contamination in final pork products was either living pigs or the food-processing environment. A detailed genomic picture of L. monocytogenes can provide a renewed understanding of the routes of contamination from pig farms to the final products. This review provides an overview of the prevalence, the genomic diversity and the genetic background linked to virulence of L. monocytogenes along the entire pig and pork production chain, from farm to fork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Lagarde
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; INRAE, Unit of Process Optimisation in Food, Agriculture and the Environment (UR OPAALE), 17 avenue de Cucillé, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Carole Feurer
- IFIP, The French Pig and Pork Institute, Department of Fresh and Processed Meat, La Motte au Vicomte, 35650, Le Rheu, France
| | - Martine Denis
- ANSES, Unit of Hygiene and Quality of Poultry and Pork Products (UHQPAP), Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, 31 rue des fusillés, 22440, Ploufragan, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Douarre
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Piveteau
- INRAE, Unit of Process Optimisation in Food, Agriculture and the Environment (UR OPAALE), 17 avenue de Cucillé, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Sophie Roussel
- ANSES, Salmonella and Listeria Unit (USEL), University of Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Food Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Brown SRB, Bland R, McIntyre L, Shyng S, Weisberg AJ, Riutta ER, Chang JH, Kovacevic J. Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from dairy facilities in British Columbia, Canada from 2007 to 2017. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1304734. [PMID: 38585707 PMCID: PMC10995413 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1304734] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of concern in dairy processing facilities, with the potential to cause human illness and trigger regulatory actions if found in the product. Monitoring for Listeria spp. through environmental sampling is recommended to prevent establishment of these microorganisms in dairy processing environments, thereby reducing the risk of product contamination. To inform on L. monocytogenes diversity and transmission, we analyzed genome sequences of L. monocytogenes strains (n = 88) obtained through the British Columbia Dairy Inspection Program. Strains were recovered from five different dairy processing facilities over a 10 year period (2007-2017). Analysis of whole genome sequences (WGS) grouped the isolates into nine sequence types and 11 cgMLST types (CT). The majority of isolates (93%) belonged to lineage II. Within each CT, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences ranged from 0 to 237 between isolates. A highly similar (0-16 SNPs) cluster of over 60 isolates, collected over 9 years within one facility (#71), was identified suggesting a possible persistent population. Analyses of genome content revealed a low frequency of genes associated with stress tolerance, with the exception of widely disseminated cadmium resistance genes cadA1 and cadA2. The distribution of virulence genes and mutations within internalin genes varied across the isolates and facilities. Further studies are needed to elucidate their phenotypic effect on pathogenicity and stress response. These findings demonstrate the diversity of L. monocytogenes isolates across dairy facilities in the same region. Findings also showed the utility of using WGS to discern potential persistence events within a single facility over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Bland
- Food Innovation Center, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - Sion Shyng
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexandra J. Weisberg
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Elizabeth R. Riutta
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jeff H. Chang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Jovana Kovacevic
- Food Innovation Center, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, United States
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Baldelli G, De Santi M, Ateba CN, Cifola G, Amagliani G, Tchatchouang CDK, Montso PK, Brandi G, Schiavano GF. The potential role of Listeria monocytogenes in promoting colorectal adenocarcinoma tumorigenic process. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38491424 PMCID: PMC10941472 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03240-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen, which can cause a severe illness, especially in people with a weakened immune system or comorbidities. The interactions between host and pathogens and between pathogens and tumor cells have been debated in recent years. However, it is still unclear how bacteria can interact with tumor cells, and if this interaction can affect tumor progression and therapy. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the involvement of L. monocytogenes in pre-neoplastic and colorectal cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenic potential. RESULTS Our findings showed that the interaction between heat-killed L. monocytogenes and pre-neoplastic or colorectal cancer cells led to a proliferative induction; furthermore, by using a three-dimensional cell culture model, the obtained data indicated that L. monocytogenes was able to increase the tumorigenic potential of both pre-neoplastic and colorectal cancer cells. The observed effects were then confirmed as L. monocytogenes-specific, using Listeria innocua as negative control. Lastly, data suggested the Insulin Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) cascade as one of the possible mechanisms involved in the effects induced by L. monocytogenes in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. CONCLUSIONS These findings, although preliminary, suggest that the presence of pathogenic bacterial cells in the tumor niches may directly induce, increase, and stimulate tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Mauro De Santi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Giorgia Cifola
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | - Giulia Amagliani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
| | | | - Peter Kotsoana Montso
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Giorgio Brandi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Urbino, Italy
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Pracser N, Zaiser A, Ying HMK, Pietzka A, Wagner M, Rychli K. Diverse Listeria monocytogenes in-house clones are present in a dynamic frozen vegetable processing environment. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 410:110479. [PMID: 37977080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110479] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Listeria (L.) monocytogenes is of global concern for food safety as the listeriosis-causing pathogen is widely distributed in the food processing environments, where it can survive for a long time. Frozen vegetables contaminated with L. monocytogenes were recently identified as the source of two large listeriosis outbreaks in the EU and US. So far, only a few studies have investigated the occurrence and behavior of Listeria in frozen vegetables and the associated processing environment. This study investigates the occurrence of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. in a frozen vegetable processing environment and in frozen vegetable products. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), the distribution of sequence types (MLST-STs) and core genome sequence types (cgMLST-CT) of L. monocytogenes were assessed, and in-house clones were identified. Comparative genomic analyses and phenotypical characterization of the different MLST-STs and isolates were performed, including growth ability under low temperatures, as well as survival of freeze-thaw cycles. Listeria were widely disseminated in the processing environment and five in-house clones namely ST451-CT4117, ST20-CT3737, ST8-CT1349, ST8-CT6243, ST224-CT5623 were identified among L. monocytogenes isolates present in environmental swab samples. Subsequently, the identified in-house clones were also detected in product samples. Conveyor belts were a major source of contamination in the processing environment. A wide repertoire of stress resistance markers supported the colonization and survival of L. monocytogenes in the frozen vegetable processing facility. The presence of ArgB was significantly associated with in-house clones. Significant differences were also observed in the growth rate between different MLST-STs at low temperatures (4 °C and 10 °C), but not between in-house and non-in-house isolates. All isolates harbored major virulence genes such as full length InlA and InlB and LIPI-1, yet there were differences between MLST-STs in the genomic content. The results of this study demonstrate that WGS is a strong tool for tracing contamination sources and transmission routes, and for identifying in-house clones. Further research targeting the co-occurring microbiota and the presence of biofilms is needed to fully understand the mechanism of colonization and persistence in a food processing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Pracser
- FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Technopark 1D, 3430 Tulln, Austria.
| | - Andreas Zaiser
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hui Min Katharina Ying
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ariane Pietzka
- Austrian National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Beethovenstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Martin Wagner
- FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Technopark 1D, 3430 Tulln, Austria; Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kathrin Rychli
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Schiavano GF, Guidi F, Pomilio F, Brandi G, Salini R, Amagliani G, Centorotola G, Palma F, Felici M, Lorenzetti C, Blasi G. Listeria monocytogenes Strains Persisting in a Meat Processing Plant in Central Italy: Use of Whole Genome Sequencing and In Vitro Adhesion and Invasion Assays to Decipher Their Virulence Potential. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1659. [PMID: 37512831 PMCID: PMC10383671 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used both a WGS and an in vitro approach to study the virulence potential of nine Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) strains belonging to genetic clusters persisting in a meat processing plant in Central Italy. The studied clusters belonged to CC1-ST1, CC9-ST9, and CC218-ST2801. All the CC1 and CC218 strains presented the same accessory virulence genes (LIPI-3, gltA, gltB, and aut_IVb). CC1 and CC9 strains presented a gene profile similarity of 22.6% as well as CC9 and CC218 isolates. CC1 and CC218 showed a similarity of 45.2% of the same virulence profile. The hypervirulent strains of lineage I (CC1 and CC218) presented a greater ability to adhere and invade Caco-2 cells than hypovirulent ones (CC9). CC1 strains were significantly more adhesive and invasive compared with CC9 and CC218 strains, although these last CCs presented the same accessory virulence genes. No statistically significant difference was found comparing CC218 with CC9 strains. This study provided for the first time data on the in vitro adhesiveness and invasiveness of CC218-ST2801 and added more data on the virulence characteristics of CC1 and CC9. What we observed confirmed that the ability of Lm to adhere to and invade human cells in vitro is not always decipherable from its virulence gene profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano
- Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Bramante, 17, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Guidi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Pomilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Brandi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Santa Chiara, 27, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Romolo Salini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Centro Operativo Veterinario per l'Epidemiologia, Programmazione, Informazione e Analisi del Rischio (COVEPI), National Reference Center for Veterinary Epidemiology, Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giulia Amagliani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Santa Chiara, 27, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Gabriella Centorotola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Laboratorio Nazionale di Riferimento per Listeria Monocytogenes, Via Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Palma
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Santa Chiara, 27, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Martina Felici
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Santa Chiara, 27, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lorenzetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuliana Blasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via Gaetano Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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9
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Magagna G, Gori M, Russini V, De Angelis V, Spinelli E, Filipello V, Tranquillo VM, De Marchis ML, Bossù T, Fappani C, Tanzi E, Finazzi G. Evaluation of the Virulence Potential of Listeria monocytogenes through the Characterization of the Truncated Forms of Internalin A. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10141. [PMID: 37373288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210141] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium that causes listeriosis, a rather rare but severe foodborne disease. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are considered particularly at risk. L. monocytogenes can contaminate food and food-processing environments. In particular, ready-to-eat (RTE) products are the most common source associated with listeriosis. L. monocytogenes virulence factors include internalin A (InlA), a surface protein known to facilitate bacterial uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells that express the E-cadherin receptor. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence of premature stop codon (PMSC) mutations naturally occurring in inlA lead to the production of a truncated protein correlated with attenuate virulence. In this study, 849 L. monocytogenes isolates, collected from food, food-processing plants, and clinical cases in Italy, were typed and analyzed for the presence of PMSCs in the inlA gene using Sanger sequencing or whole-genome sequencing (WGS). PMSC mutations were found in 27% of the isolates, predominantly in those belonging to hypovirulent clones (ST9 and ST121). The presence of inlA PMSC mutations in food and environmental isolates was higher than that in clinical isolates. The results reveal the distribution of the virulence potential of L. monocytogenes circulating in Italy and could help to improve risk assessment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Magagna
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Coordinated Research Centre EpiSoMI, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Russini
- Food Microbiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica De Angelis
- Food Microbiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Spinelli
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Vito Massimo Tranquillo
- Programmazione dei Servizi e Controllo di Gestione, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Laura De Marchis
- Food Microbiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Bossù
- Food Microbiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Fappani
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Coordinated Research Centre EpiSoMI, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tanzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Coordinated Research Centre EpiSoMI, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Finazzi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Greek Myzithra Soft Whey Cheese and Related Food Processing Surfaces over Two-and-a-Half Years of Safety Monitoring in a Cheese Processing Facility. Foods 2023; 12:foods12061200. [PMID: 36981126 PMCID: PMC10048787 DOI: 10.3390/foods12061200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeriosis is a serious infectious disease with one of the highest case fatality rates (ca. 20%) among the diseases manifested from bacterial foodborne pathogens in humans, while dairy products are often implicated as sources of human infection with Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, we characterized phenotypically and genetically by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) 54 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from Myzithra, a traditional Greek soft whey cheese (48 isolates), and swabs collected from surfaces of a cheese processing plant (six isolates) in the Epirus region of Greece. All but one strain of L. monocytogenes belonged to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) serogroups IIa (16.7%) and IIb (81.5%), corresponding to serotypes 1/2a, 3a and 1/2b, 3b, 7, respectively. The latter was identified as a PCR-serogroup IVb strain (1.8%) of serotypes 4b, 4d, 4e. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the presence of five sequence types (STs) and clonal complexes (CCs); ST1, ST3, ST121, ST 155, ST398 and CC1, CC3, CC121, CC155, CC398 were thus detected in 1.9, 83.3, 11.0, 1.9, and 1.9% of the L. monocytogenes isolates, respectively. Antibiograms of the pathogen against a panel of seven selected antibiotics (erythromycin, tetracycline, benzylpenicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and meropenem) showed that 50 strains (92.6%), the six surface isolates also included, were intermediately resistant to ciprofloxacin and susceptible to the rest of the six antimicrobial agents tested, whereas strong resistance against the use of a single from three implicated antibiotics was recorded to four strains (7.4%) of the pathogen isolated from Myzithra cheese samples. Thence, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for erythromycin (MIC = 0.19 μg/mL), ciprofloxacin (MIC ≥ 0.19 μg/mL), and meropenem (MIC = 0.64 μg/mL), and finally, just one strain was deemed resistant to the latter antibiotic. The phylogenetic positions of the L. monocytogenes strains and their genetic variability were determined through WGS, whilst also stress response and virulence gene analysis for the isolates was conducted. Findings of this work should be useful as they could be utilized for epidemiological investigations of L. monocytogenes in the food processing environment, revealing possible contamination scenarios, and acquired antimicrobial resistance along the food production chain.
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11
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Zakrzewski AJ, Kurpas M, Zadernowska A, Chajęcka-Wierzchowska W, Fraqueza MJ. A Comprehensive Virulence and Resistance Characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Fish and the Fish Industry Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043581. [PMID: 36834997 PMCID: PMC9967382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogen, often associated with fish, that can adapt and survive in products and food processing plants, where it can persist for many years. It is a species characterized by diverse genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, in this study, a total of 17 L. monocytogenes strains from fish and fish-processing environments in Poland were characterized for their relatedness, virulence profiles, and resistance genes. The Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed that the most frequent serogroups were IIa and IIb; sequence types (ST) were ST6 and ST121; and clonal complexes (CC) were CC6 and CC121. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis was applied to compare the present isolates with the publicly available genomes of L. monocytogenes strains recovered in Europe from humans with listeriosis. Despite differential genotypic subtypes, most strains had similar antimicrobial resistance profiles; however, some of genes were located on mobile genetic elements that could be transferred to commensal or pathogenic bacteria. The results of this study showed that molecular clones of tested strains were characteristic for L. monocytogenes isolated from similar sources. Nevertheless, it is worth emphasizing that they could present a major public health risk due to their close relation with strains isolated from human listeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Kurpas
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna Zadernowska
- Department of Industrial and Food Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazrui, 10-726 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Maria João Fraqueza
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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12
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Deciphering the virulence potential of Listeria monocytogenes in the Norwegian meat and salmon processing industry by combining whole genome sequencing and in vitro data. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 383:109962. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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13
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Fredriksson-Ahomaa M, Sauvala M, Kurittu P, Heljanko V, Heikinheimo A, Paulsen P. Characterisation of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from Hunted Game and Game Meat from Finland. Foods 2022; 11:foods11223679. [PMID: 36429271 PMCID: PMC9689155 DOI: 10.3390/foods11223679] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne zoonotic bacterium. It is a heterogeneous species that can be classified into lineages, serogroups, clonal complexes, and sequence types. Only scarce information exists on the properties of L. monocytogenes from game and game meat. We characterised 75 L. monocytogenes isolates from various game sources found in Finland between 2012 and 2020. The genetic diversity, presence of virulence and antimicrobial genes were studied with whole genome sequencing. Most (89%) of the isolates belonged to phylogenetic lineage (Lin) II and serogroup (SG) IIa. SGs IVb (8%) and IIb (3%) of Lin I were sporadically identified. In total, 18 clonal complexes and 21 sequence types (STs) were obtained. The most frequent STs were ST451 (21%), ST585 (12%) and ST37 (11%) found in different sample types between 2012 and 2020. We observed 10 clusters, formed by closely related isolates with 0-10 allelic differences. Most (79%) of the virulence genes were found in all of the L. monocytogenes isolates. Only fosX and lin were found out of 46 antimicrobial resistance genes. Our results demonstrate that potentially virulent and antimicrobial-sensitive L. monocytogenes isolates associated with human listeriosis are commonly found in hunted game and game meat in Finland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fredriksson-Ahomaa
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence:
| | - Mikaela Sauvala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Kurittu
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Viivi Heljanko
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari Heikinheimo
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Microbiology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, 60100 Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Peter Paulsen
- Unit of Food Hygiene and Technology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Magagna G, Finazzi G, Filipello V. Newly Designed Primers for the Sequencing of the inlA Gene of Lineage I and II Listeria monocytogenes Isolates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214106. [PMID: 36430584 PMCID: PMC9698914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a major human foodborne pathogen responsible for listeriosis. The virulence factor Internalin A (inlA) has a key role in the invasion of L. monocytogenes into the human intestinal epithelium, and the presence of premature stop-codons (PMSC) mutations in the inlA gene sequence is correlated with attenuated virulence. The inlA sequencing process is carried out by dividing the gene into three sections which are then reassembled to obtain the full gene. The primers available however were only able to entirely amplify the lineage II isolates. In this study, we present a set of new primers which allow inlA sequencing of isolates belonging to both lineages, since lineage I isolates are the ones most frequently associated to clinical cases. Using newly designed primers, we assessed the presence of inlA PMSCs in food, food processing environments and clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Magagna
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0302-2906-11
| | - Guido Finazzi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per i Rischi Emergenti in Sicurezza Alimentare—CRESA, Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Pyz-Łukasik R, Paszkiewicz W, Kiełbus M, Ziomek M, Gondek M, Domaradzki P, Michalak K, Pietras-Ożga D. Genetic Diversity and Potential Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Originating from Polish Artisanal Cheeses. Foods 2022; 11:2805. [PMID: 36140933 PMCID: PMC9497517 DOI: 10.3390/foods11182805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artisanal cheeses can be sources of Listeria monocytogenes and cause disease in humans. This bacterial pathogen is a species of diverse genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. The aim of the study was to characterize 32 isolates of L. monocytogenes isolated in 2014-2018 from artisanal cheeses. The isolates were characterized using whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The artisanal cheese isolates resolved to four molecular groups: 46.9% of them to IIa (1/2a-3a), 31.2% to IVb (4ab-4b-4d-4e), 12.5% to IIc (1/2c-3c), and 9.4% to IIb (1/2b-3b-7). Two evolutionary lineages emerged: lineage II having 59.4% of the isolates and lineage I having 40.6%. The sequence types (ST) totaled 18: ST6 (15.6% of the isolates), ST2, ST20, ST26, and ST199 (each 9.4%), ST7 and ST9 (each 6.3%), and ST1, ST3, ST8, ST16, ST87, ST91, ST121, ST122, ST195, ST217, and ST580 (each 3.1%). There were 15 detected clonal complexes (CC): CC6 (15.6% of isolates), CC9 (12.5%), CC2, CC20, CC26, and CC199 (each 9.4%), CC7 and CC8 (each 6.3%), and CC1, CC3, CC14, CC87, CC121, CC195, and CC217 (each 3.1%). The isolates were varied in their virulence genes and the differences concerned: inl, actA, LIPI-3, ami, gtcA, aut, vip, and lntA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Pyz-Łukasik
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar Paszkiewicz
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Kiełbus
- Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Ziomek
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Gondek
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Domaradzki
- Department of Quality Assessment and Processing of Animal Products, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Michalak
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
| | - Dorota Pietras-Ożga
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
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Kaptchouang Tchatchouang CD, Fri J, Montso PK, Amagliani G, Schiavano GF, Manganyi MC, Baldelli G, Brandi G, Ateba CN. Evidence of Virulent Multi-Drug Resistant and Biofilm-Forming Listeria Species Isolated from Various Sources in South Africa. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080843. [PMID: 36014964 PMCID: PMC9416180 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes species and is known to cause severe complications, particularly in pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Listeria species in food and water using both biochemical and species-specific PCR analysis. L. monocytogenes isolates were further screened for the presence of various antibiotic resistance, virulence, and biofilm-forming determinants profiles using phenotypic and genotypic assays. A total of 207 samples (composed of meat, milk, vegetables, and water) were collected and analyzed for presence of L. monocytogenes using species specific PCR analysis. Out of 267 presumptive isolates, 53 (19.85%) were confirmed as the Listeria species, and these comprised 26 L. monocytogenes, 3 L. innocua, 2 L. welshimeri, and 1 L. thailandensis. The remaining 21 Listeria species were classified as uncultured Listeria, based on 16SrRNA sequence analysis results. A large proportion (76% to 100%) of the L. monocytogenes were resistant to erythromycin (76%), clindamycin (100%), gentamicin (100%), tetracycline (100%), novobiocin (100%), oxacillin (100%), nalidixic acid (100%), and kanamycin (100%). The isolates revealed various multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, with E-DA-GM-T-NO-OX-NA-K being the most predominant MDR phenotypes observed in the L. monocytogenes isolates. The virulence genes prfA, hlyA, actA, and plcB were detected in 100%, 68%, 56%, and 20% of the isolates, respectively. In addition, L. monocytogenes isolates were capable of forming strong biofilm at 4 °C (%) after 24 to 72 h incubation periods, moderate for 8% isolates at 48 h and 20% at 72 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, at 25 °C and 37 °C, small proportions of the isolates displayed moderate (8−20%) biofilm formation after 48 and 72 h incubation periods. Biofilm formation genes flaA and luxS were detected in 72% and 56% of the isolates, respectively. These findings suggest that proper hygiene measures must be enforced along the food chain to ensure food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christ-Donald Kaptchouang Tchatchouang
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; (C.-D.K.T.); (J.F.); (P.K.M.)
| | - Justine Fri
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; (C.-D.K.T.); (J.F.); (P.K.M.)
| | - Peter Kotsoana Montso
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; (C.-D.K.T.); (J.F.); (P.K.M.)
| | - Giulia Amagliani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (G.A.); (G.B.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Madira Coutlyne Manganyi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa;
| | - Giulia Baldelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (G.A.); (G.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Giorgio Brandi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy; (G.A.); (G.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; (C.-D.K.T.); (J.F.); (P.K.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-18-389-2247
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Sibanda T, Buys EM. Listeria monocytogenes Pathogenesis: The Role of Stress Adaptation. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081522. [PMID: 36013940 PMCID: PMC9416357 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive stress tolerance responses are the driving force behind the survival ability of Listeria monocytogenes in different environmental niches, within foods, and ultimately, the ability to cause human infections. Although the bacterial stress adaptive responses are primarily a necessity for survival in foods and the environment, some aspects of the stress responses are linked to bacterial pathogenesis. Food stress-induced adaptive tolerance responses to acid and osmotic stresses can protect the pathogen against similar stresses in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and, thus, directly aid its virulence potential. Moreover, once in the GIT, the reprogramming of gene expression from the stress survival-related genes to virulence-related genes allows L. monocytogenes to switch from an avirulent to a virulent state. This transition is controlled by two overlapping and interlinked transcriptional networks for general stress response (regulated by Sigma factor B, (SigB)) and virulence (regulated by the positive regulatory factor A (PrfA)). This review explores the current knowledge on the molecular basis of the connection between stress tolerance responses and the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes. The review gives a detailed background on the currently known mechanisms of pathogenesis and stress adaptation. Furthermore, the paper looks at the current literature and theories on the overlaps and connections between the regulatory networks for SigB and PrfA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulani Sibanda
- Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
- Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo P.O. Box AC939, Zimbabwe
| | - Elna M. Buys
- Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
- Correspondence:
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18
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Genetic diversity, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes from food, livestock, and clinical samples between 2002 and 2019 in China. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 366:109572. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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