AUTHOR=Lakicevic Brankica Z. , Den Besten Heidy M. W. , De Biase Daniela 

TITLE=Landscape of Stress Response and Virulence Genes Among Listeria monocytogenes Strains

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.738470

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2021.738470

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>The pathogenic microorganism <italic>Listeria monocytogenes</italic> is ubiquitous and responsible for listeriosis, a disease with a high mortality rate in susceptible people. It can persist in different habitats, including the farm environment, the food production environments, and in foods. This pathogen can grow under challenging conditions, such as low pH, low temperatures, and high salt concentrations. However, <italic>L. monocytogenes</italic> has a high degree of strain divergence regarding virulence potential, environmental adaption, and stress response. This review seeks to provide the reader with an up-to-date overview of clonal and serotype-specific differences among <italic>L. monocytogenes</italic> strains. Emphasis on the genes and genomic islands responsible for virulence and resistance to environmental stresses is given to explain the complex adaptation among <italic>L. monocytogenes</italic> strains. Moreover, we highlight the use of advanced diagnostic technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing, to fine-tune quantitative microbiological risk assessment for better control of listeriosis.</p>