The Saprophytic Lifestyle of Listeria monocytogenes and Entry Into the Food-Processing Environment.

Antonio Lourenco,Kristina Linke,Beatrix Stessl,Martin Wagner

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.789801

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is an environmentally adapted saprophyte that can change into a human and animal bacterial pathogen with zoonotic potential through several regulatory systems. In this review, the focus is on the occurrence of Listeria sensu stricto and sensu lato in different ecological niches, the detection methods, and their analytical limitations. It also highlights the occurrence of L. monocytogenes genotypes in the environment (soil, water, and wildlife), reflects on the molecular determinants of L. monocytogenes for the saprophytic lifestyle and the potential for antibiotic resistance. In particular, the strain-specific properties with which some genotypes circulate in wastewater, surface water, soil, wildlife, and agricultural environments are of particular interest for the continuously updating risk analysis.

Highlights

Listeria monocytogenes is an environmentally adapted saprophyte that can change into a human and animal bacterial pathogen with zoonotic potential through several regulatory systems
The strainspecific properties with which some genotypes circulate in wastewater, surface water, soil, wildlife, and agricultural environments are of particular interest for the continuously updating risk analysis
This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the lifestyle of the genus Listeria in the environment addressing particular factors relevant to food safety

Summary

Introduction

Listeria monocytogenes is an environmentally adapted saprophyte that can change into a human and animal bacterial pathogen with zoonotic potential through several regulatory systems. The selective enrichment step is further complicated in challenging environments such as soils, where bacterial competition may play a role and lead to the loss of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species (Keys et al, 2016; Zilelidou et al, 2016).

Results

Conclusion