Listeria monocytogenes: silage, sandwiches and science

Abstract

AbstractListeria monocytogenesis amongst the most intriguing and well studied of the pathogenic bacteria. However, the understanding and perspective one has ofL. monocytogenesdepends to a large extent on the microbiological issues with which one is faced as a part of your professional duties. The focus of the veterinary clinician or investigator is likely to be foremost on the neurologic (circling disease) and reproductive diseasesL. monocytogenescauses. To the food microbiologist, the principal concern is to prevent introduction ofL. monocytogenesinto food products, or to identify its presence and prevent its multiplication to numbers of organisms that are likely to pose a substantial risk to humans who ingest the product. To the cellular immunologist, listeriosis represents a robust murine model that helped to elucidate many important concepts in innate and adaptive immunity, andL. monocytogenesis a potential vector for delivery of novel vaccines. To the student of molecular pathogenesis,L. monocytogenesis a powerful and well-characterized model organism for studying the cellular microbiology of an intracellular pathogen. In this brief overview, I will attempt to highlight some of the classical observations, and contemporary insights, onL. monocytogenesand listeriosis, and integrate these perspectives into a common framework. By so doing, I hope to provide those with one perspective on listeriosis with an appreciation of the broad array of problems and issues faced by those who focus on some other aspect ofL. monocytogenesand its pathogenesis.