Clinical and genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis in a cat

Listeriosis is a severe foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, an important foodborne pathogen of animals and humans. Listeriosis is a rare disease in cats.

To describe the clinical, diagnostic imaging, histological, and microbiological features of L. monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis in a cat.

Listeria monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis was confirmed in a cat by histology and microbiology.

Two distinct isolates of L. monocytogenes were cultured from the affected mesenteric lymph node and whole genome sequencing was performed.

This report should alert veterinary clinicians and microbiologists to the syndrome, which may have implications for health and food safety in animals and humans.