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Recent epidemiological evidence confirms that sporadic, as well as outbreak-associated, cases of listeriosis are primarily foodborne in origin. Implicated foodstuffs include meat products, dairy products, fruit, seafood and raw and processed vegetables. Large community-acquired outbreaks in North America and Europe have been complemented by smaller outbreaks involving hospitalized patients. Anecdotal reports and case clusters of nosocomial cases also support foodborne transmission. Cross-infection may be a major mode of transmission as demonstrated in a recent outbreak in Costa Rica. The sporadic nature of outbreaks of listeriosis are more consistent with changes in organism virulence rather than host susceptibility. The population of patients at risk for listeriosis (pregnant women and immunocompromised hosts) may not vary greatly. Establishment of infection is probably dose-dependent and gastric acidity may be protective. However, other organism-specific virulence factors, such as haemolysin production, may affect the post-intestinal phase of infection. Virulence factors other than haemolysins have not been characterized as yet. In summary, acquisition of Listeria monocytogenes infection from the environment by susceptible hosts may be widespread but invasive infection remains rare and the determinants of invasion require further elucidation.

During an examination of 3299 cheeses imported into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2017 to 2021 for compliance with regulations regarding moisture and fat content, microbial quality, acidity, the presence of quinoline (a non-permitted colorant), sorbic acid, and the presence of rust discoloration, it was found that 91% of cheeses were compliant with UAE legislation. However, 9% were in violation of one or more of the mandated quality parameters, suggesting that adulteration had occurred. Within product categories the greatest level of non-conformity at 13% was noted for processed cheese, primarily due to violations caused by high moisture and low-fat content. This is important because moisture levels in processed cheese can influence its texture and shelf life. The microbial assessment of cheese showed that 85.7% of semi-hard and 77.5% of soft cheeses had non-compliant levels of E. coli. It was notable that 21.8% of non-compliant products originated from Turkey. Cheeses from Germany had the lowest level of non-conformity at 0.6%. This study illustrates the need for border scrutiny to include physicochemical examinations of cheese samples. The current initiative aims to promote the need for equity in global trade and to prevent the marketing of adulterated food items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Listeriosis is a severe food-borne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection. The data of listeriosis in Xi'an population are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features and fatality risk factors for listeriosis in three tertiary-care hospitals in Xi'an, China Methods: The characteristics of demographic data, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, cranial imaging examination, antibiotics therapeutic schemes, and clinical outcomes were collected between 2011 and 2023. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Seventy-one etiologically confirmed listeriosis patients were enrolled, including 12 neonatal and 59 non-neonatal cases. The majority of neonatal listeriosis presented as preterm (50%) and fetal distress (75%). The main clinical manifestations of non-neonatal listeriosis included fever (88%), headache (32%), disorder of consciousness (25%), vomiting (17%), abdominal pain (12%), and convulsions (8%). The fatality rate in neonatal cases was higher than in non-neonatal listeriosis (42 vs. 17%). Although no deaths were reported in maternal listeriosis, only two of 23 patients had an uneventful obstetrical outcome. Five maternal listeriosis delivered culture-positive neonates, three of whom decreased within 1 week post-gestation due to severe complications. Twenty-eight cases were neurolisteriosis and 43 cases were bacteremia. Neurolisteriosis had a higher fatality rate compared with bacteremia listeriosis (36 vs. 12%). The main neuroradiological images were cerebral edema/hydrocephalus, intracranial infection, and cerebral hernia. Listeria monocytogenes showed extremely low resistance to ampicillin (two isolates) and penicillin (one isolate). The fatality risk factors were the involvement of the central nervous system, hyperbilirubinemia, and hyponatremia for all enrolled subjects. Hyperuricemia contributed to the elevation of fatality risk in non-neonatal listeriosis. Conclusions: When the patients suffered with symptoms of fever and central nervous system infection, they should be alert to the possibility of listeriosis. Early administration of ampicillin- or penicillin-based therapy might be beneficial for recovery of listeriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of concern for cancer patients, who face higher morbidity and mortality rates than the general population. The neutropenic diet (ND), which excludes fresh produce, is often utilized to mitigate this risk; however, an analysis weighing the theoretical listeriosis risk reduction of produce exclusion aspects of the ND and possible negative tradeoffs has never been conducted. Consequently, this work constructed decision analytic models using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to compare the impacts of the ND, such as increased neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) likelihood, with three alternative dietary practices (safe food handling [SFH], surface blanching, and refrigeration only) across five age groups, for cancer patients who consume ready-to-eat salad. Less disruptive diets had fewer negative health impacts in all scenarios, with median alternative diet DALYs per person per chemotherapy cycle having lower values in terms of negative health outcomes (0.088-0.443) than the ND (0.619-3.102). DALYs were dominated by outcomes associated with NEC, which is more common in patients following the ND than in other diets. Switchover point analysis confirmed that, because of this discrepancy, there were no feasible values of other parameters that could justify the ND. Correspondingly, the sensitivity analysis indicated that NEC mortality rate and remaining life expectancy strongly affected DALYs, further illustrating the model's strong dependence on NEC outcomes. Given these findings, and the SFH's ease of implementation and high compliance rates, the SFH diet is recommended in place of the ND., (© 2024 The Author(s). Risk Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Risk Analysis.)

Background: Invasive listeriosis is a rare, life-threatening foodborne disease. Lombardy, an Italian region accounting for 16% of the total population, reported 55% of all listeriosis cases in the years 2006-2010. The aim of our study was to provide a snapshot of listeriosis epidemiology in this region after the implementation of a voluntary laboratory-based surveillance system. Methods: We characterized by serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing and detection of epidemic clone markers, 134 isolates from 132 listeriosis cases, including 15 pregnancy-related cases, occurring in the years 2006-2010 in Lombardy. Demographic and clinical characteristics of cases have also been described. Results: The mean age of non pregnancy-associated cases was 64.7 years, with 55.9% of cases being older than 65 years. Cases having no underlying medical conditions accounted for 11.6%. The all-cause fatality rate of 83 cases with a known survival outcome was 25.3%. Serotypes 1/2a and 4b comprised 52.2% and 38.8% of isolates, respectively. Seventy-three AscI pulsotypes and 25 sequence types assigned to 23 clonal complexes were recognized. Moreover, 53 (39.5%) isolates tested positive for the epidemic clone markers. Twelve molecular subtype clusters including at least three isolates were detected, with cluster 11 (1/2a/ST38) including 31 isolates identified during the entire study period. No outbreaks were notified to public health authorities during this period. Conclusions: The findings of our study proved that epidemiology of listeriosis in Lombardy is characterized by a high prevalence of major clones and the increasing role of serotype 1/2a. Molecular subtyping is an essential tool in the epidemiology and surveillance of listeriosis. Rapid molecular cluster detection could alert about putative outbreaks, thus increasing the chance of detecting and inactivating routes of transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foodborne infections like Listeriosis cover several disorders and are a worldwide public health emergency. Listeria monocytogenes has been isolated from various foodstuffs, including milk and fishes. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique is known for its rapid and accurate identification of bacterial organisms. Methods: In the current research, a total of 360 samples comprising raw milk (130), milk products (125) and freshwater fishes (105) were screened for the detection of pathogenic Listeria species by using the USDA method. The recovered Listeria isolates were characterized using conventional set of biochemical analysis along with sugar fermentation tests and further confirmed by MALDITOF MS. The virulent nature of pathogenic Listeria isolates was also assessed by in vitro tests like hemolysis on blood agar, CAMP and PI-PLC assay. Result: In current study, on screening 360 animal origin food samples, three isolates were recovered from raw milk samples and identified as Listeria monocytogenes indicating an overall prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes to the tune of 0.83%. Excellent correlation was observed with identification of Listeria species using conventional phenotypic tests and advanced molecular tool Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique. The results depict dependability of advanced technique for rapid and reliable identification of Listeria species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important foodborne pathogens that infect various food sources such as raw milk, cheese, ice cream, vegetables, ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, poultry, meat, and fish. Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe diseases such as meningoencephalitis, abortion, and septicemia, with a high mortality rate (30%) in humans. Therefore, the present study was carried out to molecularly investigate the frequency of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk samples. Methods: In this study, 150 raw milk samples from Zanjan province, Iran, were collected at regular intervals. Pure isolates of Listeria monocytogenes were obtained after enrichment in Buffered Listeria enrichment broth (BLEB), followed by plating onto blood agar and PALCAM agar medium and incubation at 35 °C for 48 hours. A hly gene-based PCR assay was developed to detect the presence or absence of virulence genes in isolated Listeria monocytogenes. Results: The results showed that only one sample was positive by both real-time and conventional PCR methods. It contained three virulence genes, including hlyA, actA, and prf-A, among the virulence genes studied. Conclusion: The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in Zanjan province was lower than in previous studies, which was attributed to the small number of samples and the sampling season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneity in virulence potential of L. monocytogenes subgroups have been associated with genetic elements that could provide advantages in certain environments to invade, multiply, and survive within a host. The presence of gene mutations has been found to be related to attenuated phenotypes, while the presence of groups of genes, such as pathogenicity islands (PI), has been associated with hypervirulent or stress-resistant clones. We evaluated 232 whole genome sequences from invasive listeriosis cases in human and ruminants from the US and Europe to identify genomic elements associated with strains causing three clinical outcomes: central nervous system (CNS) infections, maternal-neonatal (MN) infections, and systemic infections (SI). Phylogenetic relationships and virulence-associated genes were evaluated, and a gene-based and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) were conducted in order to identify loci associated with the different clinical outcomes. The orthologous results indicated that genes of phage phiX174, transfer RNAs, and type I restriction-modification (RM) system genes along with SNPs in loci involved in environmental adaptation such as rpoB and a phosphotransferase system (PTS) were associated with one or more clinical outcomes. Detection of phenotype-specific candidate loci represents an approach that could narrow the group of genetic elements to be evaluated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development of antibiotic resistance is a serious public health crisis, reducing our ability to effectively combat infectious bacterial diseases. The parallel study of reduced susceptibility to sanitizers is growing, particularly for environmental foodborne pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes. As regulations demand a seek‐and‐destroy approach for L. monocytogenes, understanding sanitizer efficacy and its uses are critical for the food industry. Studies have reported the ability of L. monocytogenes to survive in sanitizer concentrations 10–1000 times lower than the manufacturer‐recommended concentration (MRC). Notably, data show that at MRC and when applied according to the label instructions, sanitizers remain largely effective. Studies also report that variables such as the presence of organic material, application time/temperature, and bacterial attachment to surfaces can impact sanitizer effectiveness. Due to the lack of standardization in the methodology and definitions of sanitizer resistance, tolerance, and susceptibility, different messages are conveyed in different studies. In this review, we examine the diversity of definitions, terminology, and methodologies used in studies examining L. monocytogenes resistance and susceptibility to antimicrobials. Research available to date fails to demonstrate "resistance" of L. monocytogenes to recommended sanitizer treatments as prescribed by the label. As such, sanitizer tolerance would be a more accurate description of L. monocytogenes response to low sanitizer concentrations (i.e., sub‐MRC). Conservative use of word "resistance" will reduce confusion and allow for concise messaging as sanitizer research findings are communicated to industry and regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several case studies related to listeriosis. It cites a 68-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest discomfort related to atrial fibrillation. It also cites a 73-year-old female who was hospitalized in 2008 due to increasing fatigue and pain in her hip. It suggests that clinicians should be aware of listeriosis' epidemiology and that treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers can predispose patient to the illness.

Aims: The biological events occurring during human digestion help to understand the mechanisms underlying the dose–response relationships of enteric bacterial pathogens. To better understand these events, we investigated the growth and reduction behaviour of bacterial pathogens in an in vitro model simulating the environment of the small intestine. Methods and Results: The foodborne pathogens Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were cultured with multiple competing enteric bacteria. Differences in the pathogen's growth kinetics due to the relative amount of competing enteric bacteria were investigated. These growth differences were described using a mathematical model based on Bayesian inference. When pathogenic and enteric bacteria were inoculated at 1 log CFU per ml and 9 log CFU per ml, respectively, L. monocytogenes was inactivated over time, while C. jejuni and E. coli O157:H7 survived without multiplying. However, as pathogen inocula were increased, its inhibition by enteric bacteria also decreased. Conclusions: Although the growth of pathogenic species was inhibited by enteric bacteria, the pathogens still survived. Significance and Impact of the Study: Competition experiments in a small‐intestine model have enhanced understanding of the infection risk in the intestine and provide insights for evaluating dose–response relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a saprophytic gram-positive bacterium, and an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that can produce listeriosis in humans and animals. It has evolved an exceptional ability to adapt to stress conditions encountered in different environments, resulting in a ubiquitous distribution. Because some food preservation methods and disinfection protocols in food-processing environments cannot efficiently prevent contaminations, L. monocytogenes constitutes a threat to human health and a challenge to food safety. In the host, Listeria colonizes the gastrointestinal tract, crosses the intestinal barrier, and disseminates through the blood to target organs. In immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and pregnant women, the pathogen can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers, leading to neurolisteriosis and materno-fetal listeriosis. Molecular and cell biology studies of infection have proven L. monocytogenes to be a versatile pathogen that deploys unique strategies to invade different cell types, survive and move inside the eukaryotic host cell, and spread from cell to cell. Here, we present the multifaceted Listeria life cycle from a comprehensive perspective. We discuss genetic features of pathogenic Listeria species, analyze factors involved in food contamination, and review bacterial strategies to tolerate stresses encountered both during food processing and along the host's gastrointestinal tract. Then we dissect host–pathogen interactions underlying listerial pathogenesis in mammals from a cell biology and systemic point of view. Finally, we summarize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of listeriosis in humans and animals. This work aims to gather information from different fields crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes infections. Features of L. monocytogenes; Clinical syndromes caused by L. monocytogenes; Historical aspects of Listeriosis; Epidemiology of L. monocytogenes infection in humans; Clinical and laboratory features of listeriosis; Treatment; Prevention.

This study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of the alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Spinacia oleracea leaves, on Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 7644), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (NCTC 12900) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), and to identify bioactive functional components including essential oil by GC–MS. Microbial analyses, including disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were conducted, whose results were compared with some specific antibiotics. The results of the MIC and MBC analyses indicated that S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes were more sensitive to the alcoholic extract than P. aeruginosa and E. coli. However, the hydroalcoholic extract showed no MIC and MBC for the tested pathogens. In the disc diffusion method, the alcoholic extract had a great effect on L. monocytogenes. The GC–MS analysis showed phenolic compounds (9.345%), unsaturated and saturated fatty acids (22.901%), alkaloids, and terpenes (58.57%), amino acids (6.279%), squalene (0.233%), and other compounds in the alcoholic extract of Spinach, which has functional roles in biological activities. Furthermore, the most important compounds of the essential oil of the Iranian spinach were durohydroquinone (34.73%), α‐terpineol (12.98%), linalool (22.69%), and cineole (13.1%). According to the results, the alcoholic extract and the essential oil of S. oleracea leaves can be a good alternative for antibiotics and can be used in foods and animal feed as a preservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk and milk products have been utilized by humans for many thousands of years. With the advent of metagenomic studies, our knowledge on the microbiota of milk and milk products, especially as affected by the environment, production, and storage parameters, has increased. Milk quality depends on chemical parameters (fat and protein content and absence of inhibitory substances), as well as microbial and somatic cells counts, and affects the price of milk. The effects of hygiene and effective cooling on the spoilage microbiota have shown that proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter spp. predominate the spoilage bacterial populations. These bacteria can produce heat‐stable proteases and lipases, which remain active after pasteurization and thus can spoil the milk during prolonged storage. Additionally, milk can become contaminated after pasteurization and therefore there is still a high demand on developing better cleaning and sanitation regimes and equipment, as well as test systems to (quantitatively) detect relevant pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms. Raw milk and raw milk cheese consumption is also increasing worldwide with the growing demand of minimally processed, sustainable, healthy, and local foods. In this context, emerging and re‐emerging pathogens once again represent a major food safety challenge. As a result of global warming, it is conceivable that not only microbiological risks but also chemical risks relating to presence of mycotoxins or plant toxins in milk will increase. Herein, we provide an overview of the major microbial hazards occurring in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:- The goal of the current study was to administer the role of camel milk on hepatic histopathological induced by experimental infection with Listeria monocytogenes in pregnant Swiss albino mice. Material and Method: The pregnant mice were divided into four groups (I, II, III and IV). The control group I received water and fed ad libitum. The other groups received orally L. monocytogenes, groups I and II were scarified and dissected after 7 days of the challenge. As for the rest of groups III and IV were left for one day after the challenge and the treatment will be started in the morning of the second day by camel milk. The treatment was continued until the 18 th day of the pregnancy (delivery day ). Finally the animals of two groups scarified in the morning of the delivery to take the liver. Results Histological sections of the liver of group II detected more sever changes including the infiltration inflammation cells lead to form multiply microabscesses compared with control group I. While the liver of groups III and IV showed a good improvement compared to pregnant mice of group II except for some effect represented by few infiltration of inflammatory cells and increases number of kupffer cells . Conclusion: Camel milk acted as Anti-Listeriosis in pregnant mice and protected them from the negative effect of the Listeriosis and strengthened the immune system of pregnant mice . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a primarily foodborne bacterial pathogen that is one of the causative agents of gastroenteritis. However, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes infection in pediatric patients with diarrheal disease is not clearly identified in the Iranian population. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of L. monocytogenes isolates found in infectious diarrhea samples of pediatric patients in an Iranian population. Methods: A total of 173 infectious diarrhea samples collected from pediatric patients were used in this crosssectional study. Samples were collected from patients referred to the Children's Educational-Therapeutic Center affiliated with the Arak University of Medical Sciences in Arak, Iran from May-September 2015. To identify the presence of L. monocytogenes, the samples were directly inoculated into the Listeria Enrichment Broth Base through cold enrichment, then plated onto isolated exclusive Listeria Selective Agar Base. As an alternative method for identifying L, monocytogenes, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the InlA gene was used. Results: Of the 173 infectious diarrhea samples, eight (4.6%) with L. monocytogenes were identified using exclusive culture media, while nine (5.2%) were identified using PCR. The majority of L. monocytogenes infections (seven cases (77.7%)) were observed in children under the age of five. Conclusions: Our results show L. monocytogenes infections to have a low prevalence for causing diarrhea in children in the central region of Iran. This should be taken into consideration by pediatricians when treating intestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronómica is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Listeriosis a serious food-borne illness, most often affects pregnant women, the unborn, newborns and the immunocompromised. Infection in pregnant women results in intrauterine infection, preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, still birth and neonatal meningitis/sepsis leading to high morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to detect human listeria antibody in pregnant women and neonates visiting Government general hospital, Puducherry, India using a rapid serological assay (ELISA). Study Design: A cross sectional study. Method: A total of 269 samples which includes 125 serum samples from pregnant women, 34 serum samples from women with bad obstetric history, 91 serum samples from neonates and 19 CSF samples from neonates collected were tested for Human Listeria Antibody IgM (LST-IgM) ELISA. Results: Out of 269 cases tested 51 (19.0%) were found positive for listeria antibody. Of the 125 pregnant women tested 43 (34.4%) were seropositive, Among the 34 women with bad obstetric history 7 (20.6%) and of the 110 neonatal cases only 1(0.93%) case showed seropositive for Listeria antibody.16/34 (47.1%) of pregnant women in first trimester, 5/18(27.8%) women with preterm labor were reported seropositive for Listeria.35/51 (68.6%) of seropositive cases had only fever. Conclusion: The overall seropositivity of Listeriosis in pregnant women and neonates was to the tune of 19.0%. To conclude any pregnant women with a fever or flu like symptoms with or without gastrointestinal symptoms needs to be diagnosed for Listeriosis. Moreover Listeriosis being a foodborne infection, information regarding avoidance of certain foods in Pregnancy can be incorporated into formal antenatal education in addition pregnant women need to be cautioned regarding the feto-maternal consequences of Listeriosis infection in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that has been involved in several deadly illness outbreaks. Future outbreaks may be more difficult to manage because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products. The present review summarizes the available evidence on the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products and the possible ways this resistance has developed. Furthermore, the resistance of food L. monocytogenes isolates to antibiotics currently used in the treatment of human listeriosis such as penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, has been documented. Acquisition of movable genetic elements is considered the major mechanism of antibiotic resistance development in L. monocytogenes. Efflux pumps have also been linked with resistance of L. monocytogenes to some antibiotics including fluoroquinolones. Some L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products are intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. However, factors in food processing chains and environments (from farm to table) including extensive or sub‐inhibitory antibiotics use, horizontal gene transfer, exposure to environmental stresses, biofilm formation, and presence of persister cells play crucial roles in the development of antibiotic resistance by L. monocytogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2012-2016 an increased number of listeriosis cases, especially from one region of the Czech Republic, were observed. Most of them were caused by strains of serotype 1/2a, clonal complex 8, indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Twenty-six human cases were reported, including two neonatal cases in twins. Three cases were fatal. The typing of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from food enabled to confirm a turkey meat delicatessen as the vehicle of infection for this local outbreak in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The food strains belonging to identical pulsotype were isolated from ready-to-eat turkey meat products packaged by the same producer between 2012 and 2016. This fact confirms that the described L. monocytogenes outbreak strain probably persisted in the environment of the aforementioned food-processing plant over several years. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a very close relationship (zero to seven different alleles) between isolates from humans, foods and swabs from the environment of the food-processing plant under investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study compared knowledge and food-handling behavior after pathogen-specific (experimental treatment) versus basic food safety instruction (active control) presented during nutrition education classes for low-income English- and Spanish-language pregnant women. Methods Subjects (n = 550) were randomly assigned to treatment groups in two different locations in the United States. Food safety instruction was part of an 8-lesson curriculum. Food safety knowledge and behavior were measured pre/post intervention. Descriptive data were analyzed by Chi-Square or ANOVA; changes after intervention were analyzed by regression analysis. Results Knowledge improved after intervention in the pathogen-specific treatment group compared to active control, especially among Spanish-language women. Behavior change after intervention for the pathogen-specific treatment group improved for thermometer usage, refrigeration and consumption of foods at high risk for safety; however, all other improvements in behavior were accounted for by intervention regardless of treatment group. As expected, higher pre-instruction behavioral competency limited potential gain in behavior post-instruction due to a ceiling effect. This effect was more dominant among English-language women. Improvements were also linked to formal education completed, a partner at home, and other children in the home. Conclusions for Practice This study demonstrated that pathogen-specific food safety instruction leads to enhance knowledge and food handling behaviors that may improve the public health of pregnant women and their unborn children, especially among Spanish-language women. More importantly, food safety instruction, even at the most basic level, benefited pregnant women's food safety knowledge and food-handling behavior after intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two regions of northern Spain, Gipuzkoa, and Cantabria present high annual incidence of listeriosis (1.86 and 1.71 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). We report that the high annual incidences are a consequence of infection with highly virulent Listeria monocytogenes isolates linked to fatal outcomes in elderly patients with cancer. In addition, listeriosis patients with cancer present low IL-17A/IL-6 ratios and significantly reduced levels of anti-GAPDH1-22 antibodies, identified as two novel biomarkers of poor prognosis. Analysis of these biomarkers may aid in reducing the incidence of listeriosis. Moreover, GAPDH1-22-activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells of listeriosis patients with cancer seem useful tools to prepare clinical vaccines as they produce mainly Th1 cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During one week in July 2012, two patients from the same ward at the municipal hospital in Vaasa, Finland, were diagnosed with septicaemia caused by Listeria monocytogenes. An outbreak investigation revealed eight concomitant cases of febrile gastroenteritis caused by L. monocytogenes on the same ward. Median age of the cases was 82 years and median incubation time for listerial gastroenteritis was 21 h (range 9–107). An additional 10 cases of invasive listeriosis caused by the same outbreak strain were identified across the whole country during the summer of 2012. Environmental investigation at the affected municipal hospital ward revealed ready-sliced meat jelly as the suspected source of the infection. During inspection of the meat jelly production plant, one pooled sample taken from a floor drain and a trolley wheel in the food processing environment was positive for the outbreak strain of L. monocytogenes. After the producer stopped the production of meat jelly, no further cases of listeriosis with the outbreak strain were identified via nationwide surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was conducted to determine the contamination sources, serotyping profiles, and antibiotic resistance patterns of Listeria monocytogenes isolated during the production of pickled white cheese. The genetic-relatedness of the isolates to EGD SLCC (5835) (1/2a, lineage II) and ATCC (13932) (4b, lineage I) reference strains was also determined with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) as a result of digestions with AscI and ApaI enzymes. Samples were collected from 16 different points in the production process of 4 different plants at 3 different times. Among the 192 samples examined, 17 (8.85%) were determined to be contaminated with Listeria spp. Three isolates (3.53%) obtained from raw milk, wall/ground, and press cases were identified as L. monocytogenes via the conventional culture method and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. These isolates were found to belong to serotype 4b. According to antibiotic resistance testing against 10 antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, cefalotin, streptomycin, vancomycin, penicillin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim), it was determined that isolates from raw milk and press cases were resistant to erythromycin. PPGE band patterns of the isolates displayed indistinguishable with AscI and 80%-94% homology with ApaI. The isolates were observed to display high homology to ATCC (13932) and lower homology to EGD SLCC (5835) obtained by both enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]