Dataset Information

Environmental dissemination of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in flowing surface waters in Switzerland.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. The aquatic environment may represent a potential source for the transmission of L. monocytogenes to animals and the food chain. The present study assessed the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in 191 surface water samples from rivers, streams and inland canals throughout Switzerland. Twenty-five (13%) of the surface water samples contained L. monocytogenes. Whole genome sequence (WGS) data were used to characterize the 25 isolates. The isolates belonged to major lineages I and II, with the majority assigned to either serotype 1/2a (48%), or 4b (44%). The predominant CCs identified were the hypervirulent serotype 4b clones CC1 and CC4, and the serotype CC412; all three have been implicated in listeriosis outbreaks and sporadic cases of human and animal infection worldwide. Two (8%) of the isolates belonged to CC6 which is an emerging hypervirulent clone. All isolates contained intact genes associated with invasion and infection, including inlA/B and prfA. The four CC4 isolates all harbored Listeria pathogenicity island 4 (LIPI-4), which confers hypervirulence. The occurrence of L. monocytogenes in river ecosystems may contribute to the dissemination and introduction of clinically highly relevant strains to the food chain.

SUBMITTER: Raschle S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8079687 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Environmental dissemination of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in flowing surface waters in Switzerland.

Raschle Susanne S Stephan Roger R Stevens Marc J A MJA Cernela Nicole N Zurfluh Katrin K Muchaamba Francis F Nüesch-Inderbinen Magdalena M

Scientific reports 20210427 1

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. The aquatic environment may represent a potential source for the transmission of L. monocytogenes to animals and the food chain. The present study assessed the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in 191 surface water samples from rivers, streams and inland canals throughout Switzerland. Twenty-five (13%) of the surface water samples contained L. monocytogenes. Whole genome sequence (WGS) data were used ...[more]

PMID: 33907261

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Dataset Information

Environmental dissemination of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in flowing surface waters in Switzerland.

Publications

Environmental dissemination of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in flowing surface waters in Switzerland.

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