Evaluation of the Virulence Potential of Listeria monocytogenes through the Characterization of the Truncated Forms of Internalin A
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2023
Citazione:
Evaluation of the Virulence Potential of Listeria monocytogenes through the Characterization of the Truncated Forms of Internalin A / G. Magagna, M. Gori, V. Russini, V. De Angelis, E. Spinelli, V. Filipello, V.M. Tranquillo, M.L. De Marchis, T. Bossù, C. Fappani, E. Tanzi, G. Finazzi. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. - ISSN 1422-0067. - 24:12(2023 Jun 14), pp. 10141.1-10141.16. [10.3390/ijms241210141]
Abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium that causes
listeriosis, a rather rare but severe foodborne disease. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and
immunocompromised individuals are considered particularly at risk. L. monocytogenes can contaminate food and food-processing environments. In particular, ready-to-eat (RTE) products are the most
common source associated with listeriosis. L. monocytogenes virulence factors include internalin A
(InlA), a surface protein known to facilitate bacterial uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells that
express the E-cadherin receptor. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence of premature
stop codon (PMSC) mutations naturally occurring in inlA lead to the production of a truncated
protein correlated with attenuate virulence. In this study, 849 L. monocytogenes isolates, collected from
food, food-processing plants, and clinical cases in Italy, were typed and analyzed for the presence
of PMSCs in the inlA gene using Sanger sequencing or whole-genome sequencing (WGS). PMSC
mutations were found in 27% of the isolates, predominantly in those belonging to hypovirulent
clones (ST9 and ST121). The presence of inlA PMSC mutations in food and environmental isolates
was higher than that in clinical isolates. The results reveal the distribution of the virulence potential
of L. monocytogenes circulating in Italy and could help to improve risk assessment approaches.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Listeria monocytogenes; virulence; inlA; premature stop codon (PMSC); food; listeriosis; food-processing environment; Italy;
Elenco autori:
G. Magagna, M. Gori, V. Russini, V. De Angelis, E. Spinelli, V. Filipello, V.M. Tranquillo, M.L. De Marchis, T. Bossù, C. Fappani, E. Tanzi, G. Finazzi
Link alla scheda completa:
Link al Full Text: