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Listeria pathogenesis and molecular virulence determinants
J A Vázquez-Boland1, M Kuhn, P Berche
1Grupo de Patogénesis Molecular Bacteriana, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. vazquez@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|July 4, 2001
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness affecting vulnerable populations. This review details Listeria
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis, a severe infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, neonates, and the elderly.
- Listeriosis can lead to severe outcomes such as sepsis, meningoencephalitis, and abortion, and can also present as febrile gastroenteritis.
- Listeria ivanovii is another pathogenic species affecting ruminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular determinants of Listeria virulence.
- To detail the mechanism of action of virulence factors.
- To summarize current knowledge on listeriosis pathophysiology, cell biology, and host responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on Listeria pathogenesis and virulence.
- Analysis of molecular genetic studies and genomic data.
- Examination of cell biology and host-pathogen interaction studies.
Main Results:
- Listeria pathogenesis involves intracellular multiplication, actin-based motility, and cell-to-cell spread, evading the humoral immune system.
- Key virulence factors have been identified that are crucial for the intracellular life cycle of Listeria.
- The liver is the primary target organ after intestinal entry, with subsequent dissemination to organs like the brain and uterus in severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Listeria virulence factors and pathogenesis is crucial for combating listeriosis.
- Continued research, from molecular genetics to the genomic era, has significantly advanced our knowledge of Listeria pathogenesis.
- This review provides an updated perspective on Listeria pathogenesis, highlighting the interplay between bacterial virulence and host cell responses.