Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Listeria monocytogenes isolates from ready to eat plant produce are diverse and have virulence potential.

Smith, Alva; Hearn, Jack; Taylor, Clare; Wheelhouse, Nick; Kaczmarek, Maciej; Moorhouse, Edwin; Singleton, Ian

Authors

Alva Smith

Jack Hearn

Maciej Kaczmarek

Edwin Moorhouse



Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is sporadically detected on a range of ready to eat fresh produce lines, such as spinach and rocket, and is a threat to public health. However, little is known about the diversity of L. monocytogenes present on fresh produce and their potential pathogenicity. In this work, fifteen Listeria monocytogenes isolates from the UK fresh produce supply chain were characterised using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Additionally, isolates were characterised based on their ability to form biofilm. Whole genome sequencing data was used to determine the sequence type of isolates based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), construct a core single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) phylogeny and determine the presence of virulence and resistance associated genes. MLST revealed 9 distinct sequence types (STs) spanning 2 lineages (I & II) with one isolate belonging to the ST6 subtype, strains from which have been recently implicated in two large, food-associated L. monocytogenes outbreaks in South Africa and across Europe. Although most of the 15 isolates were different, comparison of core genome SNPs showed 4 pairs of ‘indistinguishable’ strains (< 5 SNPs difference). Virulence profiling revealed that some isolates completely lacked the Listeria pathogenicity island-3 (LIPI-3) amongst other virulence factors. Investigation of the inlA gene showed that no strains in this study contained a premature stop codon (PMSC), an indicator of attenuated virulence. Assessment of biofilm production showed that isolates found in the fresh produce supply chain differ in their ability to form biofilm. This trait is considered important for L. monocytogenes to persist in environments associated with food production and processing. Overall the work indicates that a genetically diverse range of L. monocytogenes strains is present in the UK fresh produce supply chain and the virulence profiles found suggests that at least some of the strains are capable of causing human illness. Interestingly, the presence of some genetically indistinguishable isolates within the 15 isolates examined suggests that cross-contamination in the fresh produce environment does occur. These findings have useful implications in terms of food safety and for informing microbial surveillance programmes in the UK fresh produce supply chain.

Citation

Smith, A., Hearn, J., Taylor, C., Wheelhouse, N., Kaczmarek, M., Moorhouse, E., & Singleton, I. (2019). Listeria monocytogenes isolates from ready to eat plant produce are diverse and have virulence potential. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 299, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.03.013

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 21, 2019
Online Publication Date Mar 28, 2019
Publication Date 2019-06
Deposit Date Mar 25, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Food Microbiology
Print ISSN 0168-1605
Electronic ISSN 1879-3460
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 299
Pages 23-32
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.03.013
Keywords Listeria, Contamination, Fresh Produce, Whole Genome Sequencing, Virulence, Food Microbiology,
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1684734

Files

Listeria monocytogenes isolates from ready to eat plant produce are diverse and have virulence potential (1.4 Mb)
PDF




You might also like



Downloadable Citations