title: Listeria monocytogenes subgroups IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC delineate genetically distinct populations with varied pathogenic potential.
abstract: Listeria monocytogenes lineage III strains belonging to subgroups IIIA (n = 8), IIIB (n = 5), and IIIC (n = 6) were examined along with other known serotype strains (n = 11) by PCR and Southern hybridization using several recently described species-, virulence-, and serotype-specific primers and probes. The virulence of seven representative lineage III strains was then evaluated in mice via the intraperitoneal route. The results suggest that subgroup IIIA consists of typical rhamnose-positive avirulent serotype 4a and virulent serotype 4c strains, subgroup IIIC consists of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent serotype 4c strains, and subgroup IIIB consists of atypical rhamnose-negative virulent non-serotype 4a and non-serotype 4c strains, some of which may be related to serotype 7. It is possible that subgroup IIIB (including serotype 7) may represent a novel subspecies within L. monocytogenes.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 6100, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. liu@cvm.msstate.edu. liu@cvm.msstate.edu
authors.forename: Dongyou
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiedmann
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gorski
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mandrell
authors.forename: A Jerald
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D014774:Virulence