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

Schiavano, Giuditta Fiorella; Guidi, Fabrizia; Pomilio, Francesco; Brandi, Giorgio; Salini, Romolo; Amagliani, Giulia; Centorotola, Gabriella; Palma, Francesco; Felici, Martina; Lorenzetti, Cinzia; Blasi, Giuliana

doi:10.3390/microorganisms11071659

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(90 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It was also significant to characterize CC1 from our isolates, a clonal complex known to encompass clinically important isolates often associated with medical cases [ 59 ]. Despite this, CC1 is also frequently found in food products and processing environments [ 60 , 61 ]. CC9 and CC121 are often found in food and food processing environments [ 51 , 62 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virulence Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Beef and Beef-Based Products Deciphered Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Manqele,

Adesiyun,

Mafuna

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virulence Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Beef and Beef-Based Products Deciphered Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Manqele,

Adesiyun,

Mafuna

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Listeria (L.) monocytogenes is of particular concern due to its versatility and ability to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as low temperatures ( Schmid et al, 2009 ; Muchaamba et al, 2022 ; Osek et al, 2022 ). L. monocytogenes is further able to persist for years in diverse food processing environments despite hygiene measures ( Guidi et al, 2021 ; Chen et al, 2022 ; Sullivan et al, 2022 ; Chowdhury and Anand, 2023 ; Schiavano et al, 2023 ) elevating the risk of food contamination. Long-term survival of L. monocytogenes has been previously linked to gene content involved in stress resistance, which provides tolerance against disinfectants, a wide range of temperatures, acidic and alkaline conditions, and high salinity ( Bucur et al, 2018 ; Lakicevic et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the occurrence of Listeria in biofilms and deciphering the bacterial community in a frozen vegetable producing environment

Pracser,

Voglauer,

Thalguter

et al. 2024

Front. Microbiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The establishment of Listeria (L.) monocytogenes within food processing environments constitutes a significant public health concern. This versatile bacterium demonstrates an exceptional capacity to endure challenging environmental conditions in the food processing environment, where contamination of food products regularly occurs. The diverse repertoire of stress resistance genes, the potential to colonize biofilms, and the support of a co-existing microbiota have been proposed as root causes for the survival of L. monocytogenes in food processing environments. In this study, 71 sites were sampled after cleaning and disinfection in a European frozen vegetable processing facility, where L. monocytogenes in-house clones persisted for years. L. monocytogenes and L. innocua were detected by a culture-dependent method at 14 sampling sites, primarily on conveyor belts and associated parts. The presence of biofilms, as determined by the quantification of bacterial load and the analysis of extracellular matrix components (carbohydrates, proteins, extracellular DNA) was confirmed at nine sites (12.7%). In two cases, L. innocua was detected in a biofilm. Furthermore, we explored the resident microbial community in the processing environment and on biofilm-positive sites, as well as the co-occurrence of bacterial taxa with Listeria by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Exiguobacterium dominated the microbial community of the processing environment. Using differential abundance analysis, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) assigned to Enterobacterales (Enterobacter, Serratia, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae) and Carnobacterium were found to be significantly higher abundant in Listeria-positive samples. Several Pseudomonas ASVs were less abundant in Listeria-positive compared to Listeria-negative samples. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Janthinobacterium, Brevundimonas, and Exiguobacterium were key players in the microbial community in biofilms, and Exiguobacterium and Janthinobacterium were more relatively abundant in biofilms. Further, the microbial composition varied between the different areas and the surface materials.

show abstract

Listeriosis: Characteristics, Occurrence in Domestic Animals, Public Health Significance, Surveillance and Control

Končurat,

Sukalić

2024

Microorganisms

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Listeriosis is a dangerous zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Listeria, with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) being the most pathogenic species. Listeria monocytogenes has been detected in various animal species and in humans, and its ability to evolve from an environmental saprophyte to a powerful intracellular pathogen is driven by the invasion mechanisms and virulence factors that enable cell invasion, replication and cell-to-cell spread. Key regulatory systems, including positive regulatory factor A (PrfA) and the stress-responsive sigma factor σB, control the expression of virulence genes and facilitate invasion of host cells. Listeriosis poses a significant threat to cattle, sheep and goat herds, leading to abortions, septicemia and meningoencephalitis, and ruminants are important reservoirs for Listeria, facilitating transmission to humans. Other Listeria species such as Listeria ivanovii and Listeria innocua can also cause disease in ruminants. Resilience of LM in food processing environments makes it an important foodborne pathogen that is frequently transmitted through contaminated meat and dairy products, with contamination often occurring along the food production chain. In humans, listeriosis primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women and the elderly and leads to severe conditions, such as meningitis, septicemia and spontaneous abortion. Possible treatment requires antibiotics that penetrate the blood–brain barrier. Despite the relatively low antimicrobial resistance, multidrug-resistant LM strains have been detected in animals, food and the environment. Controlling and monitoring the disease at the herd level, along with adopting a One Health approach, are crucial to protect human and animal health and to minimize the potential negative impacts on the environment.

show abstract

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

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Virulence Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Beef and Beef-Based Products Deciphered Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Virulence Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Obtained from Beef and Beef-Based Products Deciphered Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Exploring the occurrence of Listeria in biofilms and deciphering the bacterial community in a frozen vegetable producing environment

Listeriosis: Characteristics, Occurrence in Domestic Animals, Public Health Significance, Surveillance and Control

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About