Competition of Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2a and 4b strains in mixed-culture biofilms.
The majority of Listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from foods and the environment are strains of serogroup 1/2, especially serotypes 1/2a and 1/2b. However, serotype 4b strains cause the majority of human listeriosis outbreaks. Our investigation of L. monocytogenes biofilms used a simulated food-processing system that consisted of repeated cycles of growth, sanitation treatment, and starvation to determine the competitive fitness of strains of serotypes 1/2a and 4b in pure and mixed-culture biofilms. Selective enumeration of strains of a certain serotype in mixed-culture biofilms on stainless steel coupons was accomplished by using serotype-specific quantitative PCR and propidium monoazide treatment to prevent amplification of extracellular DNA or DNA from dead cells. The results showed that the serotype 1/2a strains tested were generally more efficient at forming biofilms and predominated in the mixed-culture biofilms. The growth and survival of strains of one serotype were not inhibited by strains of the other serotype in mixed-culture biofilms. However, we found that a cocktail of serotype 4b strains survived and grew significantly better in mixed-culture biofilms containing a specific strain of serotype 1/2a (strain SK1387), with final cell densities averaging 0.5 log(10) CFU/cm(2) higher than without the serotype 1/2a strain. The methodology used in this study contributed to our understanding of how environmental stresses and microbial competition influence the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes in pure and mixed-culture biofilms.
Pan
Youwen
Y
USDA-ARS, Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7624, USA.
Breidt
Frederick
F
Kathariou
Sophia
S
D000898:Antibiosis; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D050296:Microbial Viability; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013193:Stainless Steel
D013193:Stainless Steel