Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Food Products: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that has been involved in several deadly illness outbreaks. Future outbreaks may be more difficult to manage because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products. The present review summarizes the available evidence on the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products and the possible ways this resistance has developed. Furthermore, the resistance of food L. monocytogenes isolates to antibiotics currently used in the treatment of human listeriosis such as penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, has been documented. Acquisition of movable genetic elements is considered the major mechanism of antibiotic resistance development in L. monocytogenes. Efflux pumps have also been linked with resistance of L. monocytogenes to some antibiotics including fluoroquinolones. Some L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products are intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. However, factors in food processing chains and environments (from farm to table) including extensive or sub-inhibitory antibiotics use, horizontal gene transfer, exposure to environmental stresses, biofilm formation, and presence of persister cells play crucial roles in the development of antibiotic resistance by L. monocytogenes.

The potential application of probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

“…Vaccines, antibiotics, and anti-viral medications have been regularly used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial or viral infectious diseases; however, the control of most infections has not yet been fully achieved. Antimicrobial resistance is progressively emerging among many pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi 21,68 . Antibiotics are not recommended for treating viral infections because of their inactivity against viruses and disruption of the normal human microbiota.…”

Listeria Occurrence and Potential Control Strategies in Alternative and Conventional Poultry Processing and Retail

“…Chlorine and PAA reduced recoverable L. monocytogenes by 3 and 4 log CFU/g, respectively, however lettuce and other non-poultry media may not be representative of Listeria contamination of poultry products. Despite the effectiveness of sanitation, some concerns do exist (Ibusquiza et al, 2011;Olaimat et al, 2018). For example, due to exposure of various antimicrobials and treatment of antibiotics prior to processing, antibiotic resistance frequency amongst L. monocytogenes isolates can increase.…”

Ecogenetics of antibiotic resistance in Listeria monocytogenes

“…Excellent and comprehensive studies, as well as reviews of antimicrobial resistance in L. monocytogenes , are widely available in the literature (Charpentier & Courvalin, ; Charpentier, Gerbaud, Jacquet, Rocourt, & Courvalin, ; Granier et al, ; MacGowan, Reeves, & McLauchlin, ; Morvan et al, ; Luque‐Sastre et al, ; Poros‐Gluchowska & Markiewicz ; Yan et al, ). Many other publications, mostly originating in the field of food microbiology in low‐middle income countries, reporting unexpectedly high rates of antibiotic resistance in L. monocytogenes (Olaimat et al, ), are difficult to judge and should be treated with caution. Retesting is highly advisable (Yan et al, ).…”

“…Vancomycin resistance has never been detected in large and reliable surveys of L. monocytogenes , either in clinical or food isolates (Granier et al, ; Morvan et al, ; Olaimat et al, ; Yan et al, ). However, plasmid‐encoded vancomycin resistance can be transferred from Enterococcus to L. monocytogenes (Biavasco et al, ; Leclercq, Derlot, Weber, Duval, & Courvalin, ).…”