Factors contributing to Listeria monocytogenes transmission and impact on food safety

Listeria monocytogenes is a deadly foodborne pathogen. It isubiquitous in nature and can be found in the wilderness, in thefarm environment, in the food production environment and infood products. Transmission routes are complex andprogress from natural environments to contamination of foodsand subsequently host infection. The ability of L.monocytogenes to persist in such a large array of habitatsrelies on gene expression regulation and metabolic features.When contaminated food is consumed, the fate of L.monocytogenes depends on a complex interplay between thecomposition of the food matrix, host susceptibility as well asstrain phylogeny. Indeed, genetic features underlie fitnessdifferences between isolates during the saprophytic lifestyleand during infection.