Contrasting Genetic Diversity of <i>Listeria</i> Pathogenicity Islands 3 and 4 Harbored by Nonpathogenic <i>Listeria</i> spp.

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes causes the severe foodborne disease listeriosis. Several clonal groups of L. monocytogenes possess the pathogenicity islands Listeria pathogenicity island 3 (LIPI-3) and LIPI-4. Here, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of LIPI-3 and LIPI-4 among 63 strains of seven nonpathogenic Listeria spp. from the natural environment, i.e., wildlife (black bears [Ursus americanus]) and surface water. Analysis of the whole-genome sequence data suggested that both islands were horizontally acquired but differed considerably in their incidence and genetic diversity. LIPI-3 was identified among half of the L. innocua strains in the same genomic location as in L. monocytogenes (guaA hot spot) in a truncated form, with only three str

SUBMITTER: Lee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9973017 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature