Approaches to Meat Safety

Genetic Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Circulating in the Pig Manure Management Chain

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the genetic diversity of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) strains circulating in the pig manure management chain, and to assess transmission routes in the continuum from living pigs, manure processing and application of processed manure on agricultural soils. Therefore, a collection of 371 L. monocytogenes strains isolated along the value chain was characterized using whole-genome sequencing. High genomic diversity (28 CC) was observed in the dataset and, interestingly, the prevalence of CC known to be associated with clinical listeriosis cases (hypervirulent CC) was high: seven hypervirulent CC represented 38.5% of the dataset, CC1 being the most represented with 17% prevalence. These findings highlight the ability for L. monocytogenes to persist throughout the chain up to the amended soils. Soil fitness assessment of the isolates will provide further information on the potential of L. monocytogenes to circulate within the food chain.

How to Cite:

Lagarde, J., Douarre, P., Denis, M., Boscher, A., Félix, B., Romero, K., Pourcher, A., Piveteau, P. & Roussel, S., (2023) “Genetic Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Circulating in the Pig Manure Management Chain”, SafePork 14(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/safepork.16351