Listeria Monocytogenes: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is nonspore-forming, gram-positive rods, it is a widespread bacterium; it can survive for a long time in different environments such as food, soil, water, and feces causing adverse health impacts in both animals and humans. Because of its pathogenesis mechanism combined with its ubiquity, It's considereda serious concern. Invasive listeriosis could be without symptoms until 1-4 weeks after infection. It causes serious complications especially in pregnant women, newborn babies, and people with weakened immunity if left untreated. An example of its outbreak what happened in South Africa in January 2018, which resulted in 180 deaths. Attention is conferred on L.monocytogene from being able to adapt to many types of stresses. Moreover, it can activate specific genes during the life cycle allowing it to replicate within many host cell types during its infection. In our review, we will highlight the pathogenicity of L.monocytogenes, with emphasis on its antimicrobial resistance.