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Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024, a Gram-positive bacterium, is a prominent foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and poses substantial health hazards worldwide. The continuing risk of listeriosis...
BACKGROUND
, a Gram-positive bacterium, is a prominent foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and poses substantial health hazards worldwide. The continuing risk of listeriosis outbreaks underlies the importance of designing an effective prevention strategy and developing a robust immune response by reverse vaccinology approaches. This study aimed to provide a critical approach for developing a potent multiepitope vaccine against this foodborne disease.
METHODS
A chimeric peptide construct containing 5 B-cell epitopes, 16 major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) epitopes, and 18 MHC-II epitopes were used to create a subunit vaccination against . The vaccine safety was evaluated by several online methods, and molecular docking was performed using ClusPro to determine the binding affinity. Immune simulation was performed using the C-ImmSimm server to demonstrate the immune response.
RESULTS
The results validated the antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and nontoxicity of the chimeric peptide construct, confirming its suitability as a subunit vaccine. Molecular docking showed a good score of 1276.5 and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the construct's efficacy, demonstrating its promise as a good candidate for listeriosis prophylaxis. The population coverage was as high as 91.04% with a good immune response, indicating good antigen presentation with dendritic cells and production of memory cells.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study highlight the potential of the designed chimeric peptide construct as an effective subunit vaccine against , paving the way for future advances in preventive methods and vaccine design.
Topics: Listeria monocytogenes; Molecular Docking Simulation; Bacterial Vaccines; Vaccines, Subunit; Listeriosis; Computational Biology; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Humans; Epitopes; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Animals; Foodborne Diseases; Immunoinformatics
PubMed: 38812301
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2905176 -
Science Advances May 2024Infusion of C-labeled metabolites provides a gold standard for understanding the metabolic processes used by T cells during immune responses in vivo. Through infusion of...
Infusion of C-labeled metabolites provides a gold standard for understanding the metabolic processes used by T cells during immune responses in vivo. Through infusion of C-labeled metabolites (glucose, glutamine, and acetate) in -infected mice, we demonstrate that CD8 T effector (Teff) cells use metabolites for specific pathways during specific phases of activation. Highly proliferative early Teff cells in vivo shunt glucose primarily toward nucleotide synthesis and leverage glutamine anaplerosis in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to support adenosine triphosphate and de novo pyrimidine synthesis. In addition, early Teff cells rely on glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1 (Got1)-which regulates de novo aspartate synthesis-for effector cell expansion in vivo. CD8 Teff cells change fuel preference over the course of infection, switching from glutamine- to acetate-dependent TCA cycle metabolism late in infection. This study provides insights into the dynamics of Teff metabolism, illuminating distinct pathways of fuel consumption associated with CD8 Teff cell function in vivo.
Topics: Glutamine; Animals; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Acetates; Mice; Carbon Isotopes; Listeriosis; Listeria monocytogenes; Citric Acid Cycle; Glucose; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38809979
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1431 -
Journal of Food Protection May 2024Listeria monocytogenes are considered to be the major foodborne pathogen worldwide. To understand the prevalence and potential risk of L. monocytogenes in retail foods,...
Listeria monocytogenes are considered to be the major foodborne pathogen worldwide. To understand the prevalence and potential risk of L. monocytogenes in retail foods, a total of 1243 retail foods in 12 food categories were sampled and screened for L. monocytogenes from 2020-2022 in Huzhou, China. 46 out of 1234 samples were confirmed to be L. monocytogenes positive with the total rate of 3.7%. The contamination rate of seasoned raw meat (15.2%) was the highest, followed by raw poultry meat and raw livestock meat (9.9%) and salmon sashimi (9.5%). The L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to four serotypes, 1/2a,1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b, with the most prevalent serotype being 1/2a (47.9%). All isolates were grouped into 15 sequence types (STs) belonging to 14 clonal complexes (CCs) via multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The most prevalent ST was ST9/CC9(23. 9%), followed by ST3/CC3(19.6%) and ST121/CC121(17.4%). Notably, 11 STs were detected from ready-to-eat (RTE) foods , some of them have been verified to be strongly associated with clinical origin listeriosis cases, such as ST3, ST2, ST5, ST8, and ST87. Listeria pathogenicity islands 1 (LIPI-1) and LIPI-2 were detected in approximately all L. monocytogenes isolates, whereas the distribution of both LIPI-3 genes and LIPI-4 genes exhibited association with specific ST, with LIPI-3 in ST3 and ST288, and LIPI-4 in ST87. The strains carrying LIPI-3 and LIPI-4 virulence genes in this study were all isolated from RTE foods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that > 90% isolates were susceptible to PEN, AMP, ERY, CIP, SXT, VAN, CHL and GEN, indicating the antibiotic treatment might be still efficient for most of the L. monocytogenes strains. However, for the three clinical first-line antibiotics (PEN, AMP and GEN), we also observed three and four strains showing MIC values greater than the susceptibility standards for PEN and AMP, respectively, and one strain showing resistance to GEN.
PubMed: 38797247
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100307 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024, a foodborne pathogen, exhibits high adaptability to adverse environmental conditions and is common in the food industry, especially in ready-to-eat foods. strains...
, a foodborne pathogen, exhibits high adaptability to adverse environmental conditions and is common in the food industry, especially in ready-to-eat foods. strains pose food safety challenges due to their ability to form biofilms, increased resistance to disinfectants, and long-term persistence in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and genetic diversity of in food and related environmental products collected from 2014 to 2022 and assess antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation abilities. was identified in 13 out of the 227 (6%) of samples, 7 from food products (meat preparation, cheeses, and raw milk) and 6 from food-processing environments (slaughterhouse-floor and catering establishments). All isolates exhibited high biofilm-forming capacity and antibiotic susceptibility testing showed resistance to several classes of antibiotics, especially trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin. Genotyping and core-genome clustering identified eight sequence types and a cluster of three very closely related ST3 isolates (all from food), suggesting a common contamination source. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis revealed resistance genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin (), lincosamides (), fluoroquinolones (), and tetracycline (). In addition, the gene was also detected, conferring resistance to disinfecting agents and antiseptics. Virulence gene profiling revealed the presence of 92 associated genes associated with pathogenicity, adherence, and persistence. These findings underscore the presence of strains in food products and food-associated environments, demonstrating a high virulence of these strains associated with resistance genes to antibiotics, but also to disinfectants and antiseptics. Moreover, they emphasize the need for continuous surveillance, effective risk assessment, and rigorous control measures to minimize the public health risks associated to severe infections, particularly listeriosis outbreaks. A better understanding of the complex dynamics of pathogens in food products and their associated environments can help improve overall food safety and develop more effective strategies to prevent severe health consequences and economic losses.
PubMed: 38786175
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050447 -
Cureus Apr 2024We present the case of a 62-year-old immunocompromised man with ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cirrhosis treated with azathioprine and...
We present the case of a 62-year-old immunocompromised man with ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cirrhosis treated with azathioprine and ustekinumab who quickly developed invasive infection after incidental identification on routine paracentesis. The infection rapidly progressed from bacterial peritonitis to bacteremia and meningitis within three days. Treatment with ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was successful. We highlight the increased risk of invasive listeriosis in immunocompromised individuals, including those on biologic therapies, and the importance of considering as a pathogen from sterile sites even in asymptomatic patients.
PubMed: 38738136
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58116 -
International Journal of Infectious... May 2024Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a health treat worldwide given its high mortality and the growing of high-risk susceptible populations.
BACKGROUND
Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a health treat worldwide given its high mortality and the growing of high-risk susceptible populations.
METHODS
All hospitalizations with a diagnosis of LM in the National Registry of Hospital Discharges were examined in Spain from 2000 to 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 8,152 hospital admissions with LM were identified. The mean age was 59.5 years and 48% were immunosuppressed (IS). The rate of LM hospitalizations increased from 5 per 1 million population in 2000 to 8.9 in 2021 (p<0.001). A foodborne outbreak in Andalusia determined a sharp increase of admissions with LM during 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns were associated with a fall in LM admissions. The overall in-hospital mortality was 16.7%. The number of deaths in patients hospitalized with LM rose from 7.8 per 100,000 deceased in 2000 to 18 in 2021 (p<0.001). After adjustment, age >65 years-old (Odds ratio [OR]=2.16), sepsis (OR=2.60), meningoencephalitis (OR=1.72), endocarditis (OR=2.0), neonatal listeriosis (OR=2.10) and IS (OR=2.09) were associated with mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
The number of patients hospitalized with LM in Spain has risen significantly from 2000 to 2021. The increase in the rate of admissions and deaths was largely driven by the growing proportion of elderly and of immunosuppressed patients.
PubMed: 38734058
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107089 -
Infectious Diseases and Therapy Jun 2024Listeriosis 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...
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.
PubMed: 38733495
DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00986-3 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness characterized by septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, abortions, and occasional death in infants and...
is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness characterized by septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, abortions, and occasional death in infants and immunocompromised individuals. is composed of four genetic lineages (I, II, III, and IV) and fourteen serotypes. The aim of the current study was to identify proteins that can serve as biomarkers for detection of genetic lineage III strains based on simple antibody-based methods. Liquid chromatography (LC) with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI MS/MS) followed by bioinformatics and computational analysis were performed on three strains (NRRL B-33007, NRRL B-33014, and NRRL B-33077), which were used as reference strains for lineages I, II, and III, respectively. Results from ESI MS/MS revealed 42 unique proteins present in NRRL B-33077 and absent in NRRL B-33007 and NRRL B-33014 strains. BLAST analysis of the 42 proteins against a broader panel of >80 sequenced strains from lineages I and II revealed four proteins [TM2 domain-containing protein (NRRL B-33077_2770), DUF3916 domain-containing protein (NRRL B-33077_1897), DNA adenine methylase (NRRL B-33077_1926), and protein RhsA (NRRL B-33077_1129)] that have no homology with any sequenced strains in lineages I and II. The four genes that encode these proteins were expressed in strain DE3 and purified. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared against purified recombinant proteins. ELISA using the polyclonal antibodies against 12 lineage I, II, and III isolates indicated that TM2 protein and DNA adenine methylase (Dam) detected all lineage III strains with no reaction to lineage I and II strains. In conclusion, two proteins including TM2 protein and Dam are potentially useful biomarkers for detection and differentiation of lineage III strains in clinical, environmental, and food processing facilities. Furthermore, these results validate the approach of using a combination of proteomics and bioinformatics to identify useful protein biomarkers.
PubMed: 38731673
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091302 -
Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... May 2024is a bacterium widely distributed in the environment. Listeriosis is a severe disease associated with high hospitalisation and mortality rates. In April 2019,...
is a bacterium widely distributed in the environment. Listeriosis is a severe disease associated with high hospitalisation and mortality rates. In April 2019, listeriosis was diagnosed in two hospital patients in Finland. We conducted a descriptive study to identify the source of the infection and defined a case as a person with a laboratory-confirmed serogroup IIa sequence type (ST) 37. Six cases with ST 37 were notified to the Finnish Infectious Diseases Registry between 2015 and 2019. Patient interviews and hospital menus were used to target traceback investigation of the implicated foods. In 2021 and 2022, similar ST 37 was detected from samples of a ready-to-eat plant-based food product including fava beans. Inspections by the manufacturer and the local food control authority indicated that the food products were contaminated with after pasteurisation. Our investigation highlights the importance that companies producing plant-based food are subject to similar controls as those producing food of animal origin. Hospital menus can be a useful source of information that is not dependent on patient recall.
Topics: Humans; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeriosis; Disease Outbreaks; Finland; Food Microbiology; Female; Male; Foodborne Diseases; Middle Aged; Aged; Food Contamination; Adult; Fabaceae
PubMed: 38726694
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.19.2300488 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024We report a very rare case of Listeria multiple brain abscesses manifested as delirium, which represented diagnostic and therapeutic challenges overcome only by the...
We report a very rare case of Listeria multiple brain abscesses manifested as delirium, which represented diagnostic and therapeutic challenges overcome only by the close cooperation between Infectious Diseases and Neuroradiology, without which a satisfactory outcome would not be achieved.An elderly man presented with confusion and drowsiness with a background of type-II diabetes mellitus. Although computed tomography of the brain only showed frontal lobe oedema, contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed numerous irregular rim-enhancing lesions containing central diffusion restriction, suggesting multiple pyogenic cerebral abscesses of unclear aetiology. Thereafter, Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from blood cultures, suggesting this as the causative organism. Deemed unsuitable for neurosurgical drainage, the patient received medical management with a protracted course of antibiotics. This case was extremely challenging, due to 1) the impossibility of source control, 2) the small number of effective antibiotics available to treat this condition, and 3) the inevitable antibiotic side-effects, derived from long-term exposure. A successful outcome was only possible thanks to strict close multidisciplinary follow up, requiring frequent MR imaging and a judicious antibiotic choice, including monitoring of their side-effects. Due to the rarity of this condition, there is lack of guidance on its management, hence the importance of multidisciplinary involvement with very close imaging and antibiotic monitoring.
Topics: Humans; Male; Brain Abscess; Listeriosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Listeria monocytogenes; Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Brain; Delirium
PubMed: 38720244
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09295-z