title: Characterization of virulence properties of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strains of different origins.
abstract: In this study, the virulence heterogeneity of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strains of different origins was analysed on different levels. On one hand, the survival of L. monocytogenes strains in synthetic gastric fluid was studied. On the other hand, the pathogenic potential of strains with different inlB expression levels was analysed in an A/J mouse model for gastrointestinal listeriosis. Differences in survival capacity in gastric fluid and in in vivo virulence potential were observed between the tested strains. No clear correlation between the origin and the obtained data could be made. However, these results confirm the existence of heterogeneity in virulence potential of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b strains.
authors.affiliation: Flemish Government, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Unit Technology and Food, Melle, Belgium. hadewig.werbrouck@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Werbrouck
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Botteldoorn
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ceelen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Decostere
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uyttendaele
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Coillie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D012703:Serotyping; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence