Meditation of the taxonomy of Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes was exactly identified and named in 1924. Since then the name and taxonomic position of listeriae have been changed several times. The last classification was performed on the basis of genetic studies and of some biological properties (haemolytic character, virulence and acid production from sugars). On the basis of the taxonomic validity of these characters, the Listeria genus is proposed to be classified into three species: L. monocytogenes (four subspecies), L. ivanovii and L. grayi (two subspecies).