Virulence Pattern Analysis of Three Listeria monocytogenes Lineage I Epidemic Strains with Distinct Outbreak Histories

Strains of the food-borne pathogen Listeria (L.) monocytogenes have diverse virulence potential. This study focused on three outbreak strains: CC1 strain PF49 (serovar 4b) from a cheese-associated in Switzerland, clinical CC2 F80594 4b), and G6006 (CC3, serovar 1/2a), responsible for large gastroenteritis USA due to chocolate milk. We analysed genomes characterized vitro vivo. Whole-genome sequencing revealed high conservation major genes. Minor deviations gene contents were found autolysins Ami, Auto, IspC. Moreover, different ActA variants present. Strain showed prolonged survival liver infected mice. Invasion intracellular proliferation similar all strains, but strains increased spreading intestinal epithelial Caco2 cells compared G6006. Overall, this long-term 4b Future work will be needed determine genes molecular mechanism behind L. organs.