First Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a Buffalo Aborted Foetus in Campania Region (Southern Italy)

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is the causative agent of listeriosis in both animals and humans, representing one of the most severe food-borne diseases in humans. Out of 13 serotypes, only three (i.e., 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b) are responsible for 95% of human outbreaks of listeriosis. Ruminants have been hypothesised to represent the main natural reservoir for this pathogen and to be involved in the transmission of Listeria to humans. During pregnancy, listeriosis in ruminants cause various reproductive disorders as well as abortion. However, little is known about abortion due to LM in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). In this study, we report for the first time the detection of LM in a water buffalo foetus in the region of Campania, Italy. Complete necropsy was performed, and samples and swabs from the abomasum, kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen were collected. Microbiological and molecular analyses were carried out to detect bacterial, viral, and protozoarian abortive pathogens. The results revealed the presence of LM in the liver, lungs, and abomasum, and no other agent was detected. Isolation was confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. Molecular serotype characterisation was performed, and serogroup IVb was identified. In conclusion, because of the zoonotic implications of our findings, this report highlights the importance of including LM in the diagnostic panel in cases of bubaline abortion.

Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Characterization of a Listeria monocytogenes Strain from an Aborted Water Buffalo in Southern Italy

“…The Listeria monocytogenes strain under study was isolated from the lungs of an aborted water buffalo fetus exhibiting severe abdominal and moderate pleural serohematic effusions, with the presence of mild pericardial serohematic fluid [ 10 ].…”

“…The L. monocytogenes strain characterized in this study was isolated from a water buffalo fetus delivered from an asymptomatic mother and consigned to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno for complete necropsy examination, as previously reported by Esposito and colleagues [ 10 ]. L. monocytogenes isolation from liver, abosum content, and lung samples was carried out as described by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals [ 11 ].…”

First Report on Abortion Caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Samples of abomasum, lungs, liver, spleen, heart, and kidneys were collected and investigated for the presence of the pathogens most frequently associated with abortion in water buffalo, including Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), Brucella spp., Campylobacter fetus, Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4), Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii , and Leptospira spp. ( 19 ). Feces sampled from the heifer were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp.…”