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Heavy Metal Resistance Determinants of the Foodborne Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes

Cameron Parsons1, Sangmi Lee2, Sophia Kathariou3

  • 1Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7624, USA. ctparson@ncsu.edu.

Genes
|December 28, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes utilizes metal homeostasis for survival. This review focuses on arsenic and cadmium resistance mechanisms, crucial for understanding virulence and environmental adaptation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread bacterium causing listeriosis.
  • Metal homeostasis is vital for L. monocytogenes' survival as a saprophyte and pathogen.
  • Essential metal (copper, iron, zinc) mechanisms are well-studied, but non-essential heavy metal mechanisms are not.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of arsenic and cadmium resistance in L. monocytogenes.
  • To highlight the importance of studying these determinants due to their prevalence and link to virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on L. monocytogenes metal resistance.
  • Analysis of research on arsenic and cadmium detoxification pathways.
  • Examination of the association between heavy metal resistance and virulence factors.

Main Results:

  • Resistance to arsenic and cadmium is common in L. monocytogenes, including clinical isolates.
  • These resistance determinants are increasingly linked to bacterial virulence.
  • A knowledge gap exists regarding the specific mechanisms of non-essential heavy metal resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding L. monocytogenes' heavy metal resistance is critical for public health.
  • Further research into arsenic and cadmium resistance mechanisms is warranted.
  • These mechanisms may represent novel targets for controlling L. monocytogenes infections.
Keywords:
Listeria monocytogenesarseniccadmiumheavy metal resistancemobile genetic element

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