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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Produce Safety and Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #200792
Title: Listeria monocytogenes subgroups IIIA, IIIB and IIIC delineate genetically distinct populations with varied pathogenic potential

Author
item LIU, DONGYOU
item LAWRENCE, MARK
item WIEDMAN, MARTIN
item Gorski, Lisa
item Mandrell, Robert
item AINSWORTH, JERALD
item AUSTIN, FRANK

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2006
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Citation: Liu, D., Lawrence, M.L., Wiedman, M., Gorski, L.A., Mandrell, R.E., Ainsworth, J., Austin, F.W. 2006. Listeria monocytogenes subgroups IIIA, IIIB and IIIC delineate genetically distinct populations with varied pathogenic potential. Journal of Clinical Microbiology.44:4229-4233

Interpretive Summary: This study characterized a subgroup of Listeria monocytogenes strains for virulence. Lineage III strains are consist of several serogroup 4 strains that are not usually associated with human illness. The authors speculate from the evidence that some of these strains form a novel subspecies within L. monocytogenes.

Technical Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes lineage III strains belonging to subgroups IIIA (n=8), IIIB (n=5) and IIIC (n=6) were examined along with other known serotype strains (n=11) by PCR and Southern hybridization using several recently described species-, virulence- and serotype-specific primers and probes. The virulence of seven representative lineage III strains was then evaluated in mice via intraperitoneal route. The results suggest that subgroup IIIA consists of typical rhamnose-positive avirulent serotype 4a and virulent serotype 4c strains, subgroup IIIC of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent serotype 4c strains and subgroup IIIB of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent non-4a and non-4c strains, some of which may be related to serotype 7. It is possible that subgroup IIIB (including serotype 7) may represent a novel subspecies within L. monocytogenes.