Listeria monocytogenes: review of pathogenesis and virulence determinants-targeted immunological assays

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most invasive foodborne pathogens and is responsible for numerous outbreaks worldwide. Most of the methods to detect this bacterium in food require selective enrichment using traditional bacterial culture techniques that can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. Moreover, molecular methods are expensive and need specific technical knowledge. In contrast, immunological approaches are faster, simpler, and user-friendly alternatives and have been developed for the detection of L. monocytogenes in food, environmental, and clinical samples. These techniques are dependent on the constitutive expression of L. monocytogenes antigens and the specificity of the antibodies used. Here, updated knowledge on pathogenesis and the key immunogenic virulence determinants of L. monocytogenes that are used for the generation of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for the serological assay development are summarised. In addition, immunological approaches based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, lateral flow immunochromatographic assays, and immunosensors with relevant improvements are highlighted. Though the sensitivity and specificity of the assays were improved significantly, methods still face many challenges that require further validation before use.

Keywords:

• Listeria monocytogenes
• pathogenesis
• listeriosis
• virulence
• antibodies
• antigens
• serological methods
• lateral flow immunoassay
• detection

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The work in the authors' laboratories was supported by funds from the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel [CAPES grant # 88882.385457/2007-01 2019–2023] and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, under Agreement No. 59-8072-6-001. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.