Identification of Surface Protein Biomarkers of Listeria monocytogenes via Bioinformatics and Antibody-Based Protein Detection Tools

Abstract

L isteria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause a rare but serious human disease referred to as listeriosis, primarily by ingestion of foods contaminated with live bacteria. Although the occurrence of listeriosis is relatively rare compared to other foodborne illnesses, listeriosis accounts for approximately 19% of deaths among all foodborne illnesses (1). Susceptible individuals include pregnant women and persons with a weak or compromised immune system, such as neonates, the elderly, organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy, cancer patients, and individuals with HIV. During pregnancy, listeriosis can result in aborted fetuses and neonate stillborns. Late-onset neonatal listeriosis frequently manifests as meningitis. Invasive listeriosis in nonpregnant adults frequently presents as meningoencephalitis and bacteremia (2).

Campylobacteriosis, Salmonellosis, Yersiniosis, and Listeriosis as Zoonotic Foodborne Diseases: A Review

“…The following are the serotypes that are most commonly isolated from infected humans: 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b [ 186 , 187 ]. Strains belonging to separate serotypes differ in terms of the antigenic determinants located on the cellular surface, including that of the thermostable somatic antigen O and the thermophilic ciliary antigen H [ 186 , 188 ]. Based on the differences in the nucleotide sequence of three genes ( flaA, iap, and hly ), four evolution lineages are also classified (I, II, III, and IV).…”

“…Based on the differences in the nucleotide sequence of three genes ( flaA, iap, and hly ), four evolution lineages are also classified (I, II, III, and IV). Individual serotypes are affiliated with those lines [ 186 , 187 , 188 ].…”

Molecular Targets for Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria Detection

“…These proteins have been extensively used as molecular targets for the detection of foodborne pathogens. An ideal target should fulfil the following two criteria: (i) it should be expressed under the conditions employed for the detection by all strains of the pathogen and not by other bacteria that may also participate in the microecosystem under examination, and (ii) it should be strongly associated with the surface of the pathogen [ 6 ]. Such is the case of L. monocytogenes and its cell envelope-associated proteins, such as InlA and InlB.…”

Complete Genome Sequences of 12 Isolates of Listeria monocytogenes Belonging to Serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b Obtained from Food Products and Food-Processing Environments in Canada

“…In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, studies aimed at understanding the nature and behavior of the causative bacterial organism at the genomic level are necessary. L. monocytogenes is a ubiquitous, Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in natural environments such as plants, soil, and surface water, from where it contaminates agricultural products, food-processing environments, and foods such as fresh produce and ready-to-eat meat and milk, leading to possible human exposure ( 2 ). More than 95% of human clinical cases are associated with three serotypes of L. monocytogenes : 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b ( 3 ).…”