About this Research Topic
Food safety, a key public health concern, is more relevant than ever with increasing consumer awareness. Among the foodborne microorganisms is Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes are Gram-positive relatively anaerobic rods and this adaptable bacterium prospers across diverse conditions such as temperatures, pH levels, and salinity, often contaminating food and processing equipment. L. monocytogenes is the etiological agent of listeriosis, which is notorious for its high mortality rate and adaptability, including developing resistances to antibiotics. The ability to grow a biofilm, especially within the food industry, is one of the determinants of the presence of these rods on equipment. Also, survival and adaptation to unfavorable conditions involving stress factors such as temperature extremes, pH changes, high salinity, nutrient deficiency, or disinfectants, during food production or storage affect the ecology of L. monocytogenes.
This Research Topic aims to explore phenotypic and genetic evaluations of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from environmental and food industry sources, which would be a valuable component in understanding the ecology of this bacterium. The search for new genetic determinants underlying virulence, antibiotic and disinfectant resistance is crucial to enhance our understanding. Knowledge of the pathogenic and adaptive nature of L. monocytogenes, especially strains isolated from food and the food industry, is an important aspect for reducing listeriosis cases and planning relevant control prodecures.
We welcome contributions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Opinions, related to:
• Investigation of pheno- and genotypic characterization, biolfilm formation and antibiotic resistance of L. monocytogenes strains;
• Effects of stress factors on the features, variability and genetics of L. monocytogenes strains;
• Data on new genetic determinants that determine virulence and survivability of L. monocytogenes under adverse environmental conditions.
This Research Topic aims to explore phenotypic and genetic evaluations of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from environmental and food industry sources, which would be a valuable component in understanding the ecology of this bacterium. The search for new genetic determinants underlying virulence, antibiotic and disinfectant resistance is crucial to enhance our understanding. Knowledge of the pathogenic and adaptive nature of L. monocytogenes, especially strains isolated from food and the food industry, is an important aspect for reducing listeriosis cases and planning relevant control prodecures.
We welcome contributions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Opinions, related to:
• Investigation of pheno- and genotypic characterization, biolfilm formation and antibiotic resistance of L. monocytogenes strains;
• Effects of stress factors on the features, variability and genetics of L. monocytogenes strains;
• Data on new genetic determinants that determine virulence and survivability of L. monocytogenes under adverse environmental conditions.
Keywords: antibiotic resistance, virulence, biofilm, stress factor, foodborne pathogen, listeria monocytogenes, food safety
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
