Abstract
Listeriosis is one of the most notable foodborne diseases and is characterized by high rates of mortality. L. monocytogenes is the main cause of human listeriosis outbreaks, however, there are isolated cases of disease caused by other species of the genus Listeria. The aim of this study was to evaluate strains of L. monocytogenes (n = 7), L. innocua (n = 6), and L. welshimeri (n = 2) isolated from fish and shrimps for their virulence based on the presence of virulence genes and the in vivo Danio rerio (zebrafish) larvae models. A total of 15 strains were analyzed. The zebrafish larvae model showed that the larvae injected with L. monocytogenes strains were characterized by the lowest survival rate (46.5%), followed by L. innocua strains (64.2%) and L. welshimeri (83.0%) strains. Multiplex PCRs were used for detection of selected virulence genes (luxS, actA2, prfA, inlB, rrn, iap, sigB, plcB, actA, hlyA), the majority of which were present in L. monocytogenes. Only a few virulence-related genes were found in L. welshimeri, however, no correlation between the occurrence of these genes and larval survival was confirmed. This research highlights the importance of the potential impact that Listeria spp. strains isolated from fish and shrimps may have on consumers.
Highlights
Species L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, and L. seeligeri are considered to be the main causes of listeriosis in animals and humans, due to the occurrence of single cases of infection caused by other species, including L. innocua, it seems necessary to study the virulent potential among others species of the genus Listeria [1].The genus Listeria currently includes seventeen species [2]
The other two species mentioned above are rarely reported as causes of human listeriosis [4,5,6], though there are reports of L. welshimeri being isolated from human fecal samples [7]
Listeriosis can develop as gastroenteritis with fever or present a more severe course with meningitis and sepsis
Summary
Species L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, and L. seeligeri are considered to be the main causes of listeriosis in animals and humans, due to the occurrence of single cases of infection caused by other species, including L. innocua, it seems necessary to study the virulent potential among others species of the genus Listeria [1]. The genus Listeria currently includes seventeen species [2]. L. monocytogenes is most often involved in foodborne outbreaks of listeriosis [3]. The other two species mentioned above are rarely reported as causes of human listeriosis [4,5,6], though there are reports of L. welshimeri being isolated from human fecal samples [7]. Listeriosis can develop as gastroenteritis with fever or present a more severe course with meningitis and sepsis. Parenteral symptoms are primarily found in people at risk, including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with reduced immunity
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