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Microbiology in F
FRONTIERS
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Abstract: |
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that poses significant risks to public health
and food safety. The present study aimed to identify the presence of Listeria spp. in various
samples, including pasteurized milk, chicken fillets, and stool samples from pregnant women in
Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Additionally, the study identified the serotypes, virulence
associated genes, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes
isolates. Moreover, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of Lactobacillus plantarum
ATCC 14917 against L. monocytogenes isolates was investigated. A study was conducted fromAugust 2021 to January 2022 to collect 300 samples of pasteurized milk, chicken fillets, and
stool from pregnant women admitted to outpatient clinics of hospitals. The results showed that
32.7% of the samples were positive for Listeria spp., including L. innocua (48.9%), L.
monocytogenes (26.5%), L. ivanovii (14.3%), L. grayi (5.1%), and L. welshimeri (5.1%).
Among all L. monocytogenes isolates, hlyA, actA, inlC, and inlJ virulence-associated genes
were detected. However, the virulence genes plcB, iap, and inlA were found in 10 (38.5%), 8
(30.8%), and 25 (96.2%) isolates, respectively. The L. monocytogenes isolates classified into
four serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b), with 1/2a and 4b each identified in 30.8% of the
isolates, while 1/2b and 1/2c were identified in 19.2% of the isolates. All L. monocytogenes
isolates showed 100% resistance to streptomycin, kanamycin, and nalidix acid, and 92.3% of
isolates showed gentamicin resistance. However, all isolates were susceptible to ampicillin and
ampicillin/sulbactam. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 20 (76.9%) L.
monocytogenes isolates. The biofilm formation ability of 26 L. monocytogenes isolates was
evaluated at different incubation temperatures. At 4°C, 25°C, and 37°C, 53.8, 69.2, and 80.8%
of the isolates, respectively, were biofilm producers. Furthermore, 23.1% were strong biofilm
producers at both 4°C and 25°C, while 34.6% were strong biofilm formers at 37°C. Treating L.
monocytogenes isolates with L. plantarum cell-free supernatant (CFS) reduced the number of
biofilm-producing isolates to 15.4, 42.3, and 53.8% at 4°C, 25°C, and 37°C, respectively. L.
plantarum’s CFS antibacterial activity was tested against six virulent, MDR, and biofilmforming L. monocytogenes isolates. At a concentration of 5 μg/mL of L. plantarum CFS, none
of the L. monocytogenes isolates exhibited an inhibition zone. However, an inhibition zone was
observed against L. monocytogenes strains isolated from pasteurized milk and pregnant
women’s stools when using a concentration of 10 μg/mL. Transmission electron microscopy
revealed that L. plantarum CFS induced morphological and intracellular structural changes in
L. monocytogenes. This study identified virulent MDR L. monocytogenes isolates with strong
biofilm-forming abilities in food products in Egypt, posing significant risks to food safety.
Monitoring the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of L. monocytogenes in dairy
and meat products is crucial to enhance their safety. Although L. plantarum CFS showed
potential antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against L. monocytogenes isolates, further
research is needed to explore its full probiotic potential
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