Molecular determinants of Listeria monocytogenes virulence.
Listeria monocytogenes is the etiological agent of listeriosis, a severe human foodborne infection characterized by gastroenteritis, meningitis, encephalitis, abortions, and perinatal infections. This gram-positive bacterium is a facultative intracellular pathogen that induces its own uptake into nonphagocytic cells and spreads from cell to cell using an actin-based motility process. This review covers both well-established and recent advances in the characterization of L. monocytogenes virulence determinants and their role in the pathophysiology of listeriosis.
Unité des Interactions Bactéries-Cellules, Institut Pasteur, INSERM U604, 75015 Paris, France. odussur@pasteur.fr
Olivier
O
Dussurget
Javier
J
Pizarro-Cerda
Pascale
P
Cossart
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014774:Virulence
D001426:Bacterial Proteins