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Virulence Pattern Analysis of Three Listeria monocytogenes Lineage I Epidemic Strains with Distinct Outbreak

Martin Wagner1,2, Jörg Slaghuis3, Werner Göbel4

  • 1Unit for Food Microbiology, Institute for Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.

Microorganisms
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study compared the virulence of three Listeria monocytogenes strains. Serovar 4b strains exhibited prolonged survival in mouse livers, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Pathogen Virulence

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen with varying virulence.
  • Outbreak strains differ in their genetic makeup and pathogenic potential.
  • Understanding strain-specific virulence is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the virulence of three Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strains: CC1 PF49 (serovar 4b), CC2 F80594 (serovar 4b), and CC3 G6006 (serovar 1/2a).
  • To analyze genomic differences and characterize in vitro and in vivo virulence.
  • To identify potential mechanisms behind differential strain virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of three Listeria monocytogenes strains.
  • In vitro assays using Caco2 intestinal epithelial cells.
  • In vivo studies involving survival assays in mouse livers.

Main Results:

  • Major virulence genes were highly conserved across strains, with minor variations in autolysins (Ami, Auto, IspC) and ActA variants.
  • Serovar 4b strains (PF49 and F80594) demonstrated significantly prolonged survival in mouse livers compared to the serovar 1/2a strain (G6006).
  • All strains showed similar invasion and intracellular proliferation, but CC1 and CC2 strains exhibited increased spreading in intestinal cells.

Conclusions:

  • Serovar 4b Listeria monocytogenes strains possess enhanced long-term survival capabilities in host organs, specifically the liver.
  • Further research is required to elucidate the genetic and molecular factors contributing to this prolonged organ survival.
  • Strain-specific virulence characteristics, like liver persistence, highlight the need for tailored food safety interventions.

Keywords:
pathogenicityprolonged survivalwhole-genome analysis

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