Antimicrobial Resistance in Listeria Species Original paper
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
-
Microbes
Microbes
Microbes are microscopic organisms living in and on the human body, shaping health through digestion, vitamin production, and immune protection. When microbial balance is disrupted, disease can occur. This guide explains key microbe types—bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea—plus major pathogenic and beneficial examples.
-
Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was reviewed?
This review explored antimicrobial resistance in Listeria species, focusing on mechanisms by which these bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, biocides, and heavy metals. It also highlighted the significance of this resistance in the context of food safety and public health, specifically in terms of their impact on foodborne illnesses.
Who was reviewed?
The review primarily focused on Listeria monocytogenes, the pathogen responsible for listeriosis in humans and animals. It also covered other Listeria species such as L. innocua and L. ivanovii, which are implicated in both clinical and environmental settings.
What were the most important findings?
The review detailed several key findings about Listeria species’ resistance mechanisms. It was noted that, although multidrug resistance is not yet common, Listeria species are capable of rapidly acquiring resistance through mutations in chromosomal genes and horizontal gene transfer via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids and transposons. A notable mechanism of resistance includes efflux pumps, such as MdrL, FepA, and Lde, which expel a variety of antimicrobial agents from the bacterial cell. Additionally, Listeria species showed resistance to a range of antibiotics, including tetracycline, penicillin, and fluoroquinolones. The review also identified the role of efflux pumps in contributing to resistance to biocides, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, which are commonly used in food processing environments. Moreover, resistance to heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and copper was also highlighted, with Listeria species carrying genes that provide resistance to these metals, facilitating their survival in contaminated environments.
What are the greatest implications of this review?
The implications of this review are crucial for both clinical and food safety contexts. The emerging resistance of Listeria species to multiple antibiotics and biocides poses a significant challenge to treatment and contamination control. The presence of mobile genetic elements, which facilitate the spread of resistance, indicates that Listeria could potentially contribute to the wider dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, complicating efforts to manage foodborne diseases. The review stresses the need for increased surveillance of Listeria resistance patterns, particularly in food production environments, to prevent the spread of resistant strains. Additionally, it calls for the development of more effective cleaning protocols and alternative treatment options to combat resistant Listeria strains, thereby enhancing food safety and public health outcomes.
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen capable of surviving in diverse environments, including soil, water, and decaying vegetation. L. monocytogenes has the unique ability to evade the immune system by moving directly from cell to cell within the host. This intracellular lifestyle allows the bacterium to avoid extracellular immune detection, contributing to its ability to cause invasive diseases like meningitis and septicemia, particularly in the elderly and immunocompromised.