Listeria monocytogenes ST37 Distribution in the Moscow Region and Properties of Clinical and Foodborne Isolates

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food
08:38

Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food

Published on: May 6, 2013

19.3K

Olga L Voronina1, Marina S Kunda1, Natalia N Ryzhova1

  • 1N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Gamaleya Str., 18, 123098 Moscow, Russia.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Phylogenetic lineage II Listeria monocytogenes ST37, though typically hypovirulent, caused severe listeriosis in men with prior viral infections like COVID-19, highlighting a potential link between viral infections and increased susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Phylogenetic lineage II (PLII) Listeria are prevalent in Europe and generally hypovirulent.
  • Despite low virulence, PLII Listeria cause significant listeriosis cases and foodborne outbreaks.
  • Listeria monocytogenes ST37, a PLII member, emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in Moscow.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes ST37 isolates from diverse sources.
  • To investigate the genetic basis for ST37's clinical manifestations, particularly in the context of viral co-infections.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of Listeria monocytogenes ST37 isolates from clinical, food, and meat sources.
  • Comparative genomic analysis to identify unique genes and genetic variations.
  • Prophage analysis and investigation of pseudolysogeny.

Main Results:

  • Clinical ST37 isolates were exclusively from male patients (48-81 years) with meningitis-septicemia and a history of COVID-19 or Influenza.
  • Fish isolates showed closely related core genomes, while clinical and meat isolates exhibited significant genomic diversity.
  • Prophages were identified as a source of unique genes; two clinical isolates displayed pseudolysogeny with A006-like prophages.
  • Chromosomal virulence factors and resistance determinants aligned with hypovirulent traits, yet clinical isolates caused severe disease and mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic analysis revealed diversity in Listeria monocytogenes ST37, with prophages contributing unique genetic elements.
  • The study suggests a potential link between prior viral infections (COVID-19, Influenza) and increased human susceptibility to severe listeriosis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which viral infections may enhance Listeria pathogenicity.
Keywords:
COVID-19Listeria monocytogenescgMLSTfoodborne pathogeninvasive listeriosisprophagesvirulence factorswhole genome sequencing

More Related Videos

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes09:18

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes

Published on: May 27, 2015

5.5K
Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses10:10

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

Published on: November 16, 2016

13.6K

Related Concept Videos

Sources of Food Contamination01:29

Sources of Food Contamination

Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
Methods of Controlling Food Spoilage01:26

Methods of Controlling Food Spoilage

Food spoilage is caused by microbial growth or by chemical and physical changes, all of which affect the taste, texture, and safety of food.Temperature-Based PreservationRefrigeration at 0–4 °C slows microbial growth and enzyme activity, making it ideal for short-term storage. However, certain spoilage organisms—such as psychrotrophs like Listeria monocytogenes—can still proliferate at these temperatures. Freezing below -18 °C further slows biological processes by forming ice crystals, which...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...