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Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: August 9, 2011
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Current methodologies available to evaluate the virulence potential among Listeria monocytogenes clonal complexes
Mariana Sousa1, Rui Magalhães1, Vânia Ferreira1
1Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, Porto, Portugal.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 4, 2024
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes strains vary in virulence, impacting listeriosis severity. This review evaluates methods to distinguish hypervirulent and hypovirulent clonal complexes (CCs) for better food safety. Identifying key strains aids in reducing food waste.
Area of Science:
- Food microbiology
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Genomics and epidemiology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, with outcomes varying due to host and pathogen factors.
- Epigenetic modifications may influence host susceptibility to L. monocytogenes infection.
- Strain diversity in L. monocytogenes leads to significant variations in virulence potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss methodologies for discriminating the virulence potential of L. monocytogenes clonal complexes (CCs).
- To critically evaluate the applicability and efficiency of various approaches in distinguishing pathogen virulence.
- To support the Food and Agriculture Organization's goal of identifying key strains to reduce food waste.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of in vitro and in vivo models to assess virulence.
- Study of virulence gene expression.
- Utilizing Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) to define and categorize clonal complexes (CCs).
Main Results:
- Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) combined with epidemiological data distinguishes hypervirulent CCs (clinical cases, severe disease) from hypovirulent CCs (food environments, immunosuppressed individuals).
- Genetic traits associated with virulence diversity have been reported.
- Different methodologies show varying applicability and efficiency in assessing virulence potential.
Conclusions:
- Understanding L. monocytogenes CC virulence is crucial for public health and food safety.
- Methodologies for virulence assessment need critical evaluation for practical application.
- Identifying hypervirulent strains is essential for targeted control strategies and reducing economic losses.
