Molecular investigation of a listeriosis outbreak in goats caused by an unusual strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
During a 16-month period, 10 goats with listeriosis were identified in 2 herds that shared 3 bucks, including 1 that died of listeriosis. Using DNA fingerprinting, we determined that a single genetically unique Listeria monocytogenes strain had infected all goats from which isolates were available. All isolates were unable to metabolize rhamnose (rhamnose-negative), whereas as a species, L monocytogenes is considered to have a rhamnose-positive phenotype. Therefore, these isolates would have been characterized as a species other than L monocytogenes if any of a variety of commercial bacterial identification kits had been used for speciation. Silage was not fed to either herd, and L monocytogenes was not isolated from vaginal or rectal swab specimens obtained from healthy goats or from samples of feed. Because the 3 bucks were the only common elements between the 2 herds, our results suggest a venereal route of transmission for listeriosis.
Wiedmann
M
M
Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Mobini
S
S
Cole
J R
JR
Watson
C K
CK
Jeffers
G T
GT
Boor
K J
KJ
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary; D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D006041:Goats; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011247:Pregnancy; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D005839:Gentamicins; D010400:Penicillin G