Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool that may be used to assist in identifying Listeria contamination sources and movement within environments, and to assess persistence. This study investigated sites in a produce packinghouse where Listeria had been historically isolated; and aimed to c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Food Protection |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068850 |
| _version_ | 1797350952855928832 |
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| author | Cameron A. Bardsley Renato H. Orsi Shelley Clark Claire M. Murphy Jennifer C. McEntire Martin Wiedmann Laura K. Strawn |
| author_facet | Cameron A. Bardsley Renato H. Orsi Shelley Clark Claire M. Murphy Jennifer C. McEntire Martin Wiedmann Laura K. Strawn |
| author_sort | Cameron A. Bardsley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool that may be used to assist in identifying Listeria contamination sources and movement within environments, and to assess persistence. This study investigated sites in a produce packinghouse where Listeria had been historically isolated; and aimed to characterize dispersal patterns and identify cases of transient and resident Listeria. Environmental swab samples (n = 402) were collected from 67 sites at two time-points on three separate visits. Each sample was tested for Listeria, and Listeria isolates were characterized by partial sigB sequencing to determine species and allelic type (AT). Representative isolates from the three most common L. monocytogenes ATs (n = 79) were further characterized by WGS. Of the 144 Listeria species positive samples (35.8%), L. monocytogenes was the most prevalent species. L. monocytogenes was often coisolated with another species of Listeria. WGS identified cases of sporadic and continued reintroduction of L. monocytogenes from the cold storages into the packinghouse and demonstrated cases of L. monocytogenes persistence over 2 years in cold storages, drains, and on a forklift. Nine distinct clusters were found in this study. Two clusters showed evidence of persistence. Isolates in these two clusters (N = 11, with one historical isolate) were obtained predominantly and over multiple samplings from cold storages, with sporadic movement to sites in the packing area, suggesting residence in cold storages with opportunistic dispersal within the packinghouse. The other seven clusters demonstrated evidence of transient Listeria, as isolation was sporadic over time and space during the packing season. Our data provide important insights into likely L. monocytogenes harborage points and transfer in a packinghouse, which is key to root cause analysis. While results support Listeria spp. as a suitable indicator organism for environmental monitoring surveys, findings were unable to establish a specific species as an index organism for L. monocytogenes. Findings also suggest long-term persistence with substantial SNP diversification, which may assist in identifying potential contamination sources and implementing control measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:53:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-974b58cfbc944de58d62966f5ea765bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0362-028X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:53:31Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Food Protection |
| spelling | doaj.art-974b58cfbc944de58d62966f5ea765bd2024-01-20T04:44:17ZengElsevierJournal of Food Protection0362-028X2024-01-01871100201Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce PackinghouseCameron A. Bardsley0Renato H. Orsi1Shelley Clark2Claire M. Murphy3Jennifer C. McEntire4Martin Wiedmann5Laura K. Strawn6Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USADepartment of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USADepartment of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USADepartment of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USAFood Safety Strategy, LLC, Frederick, MD 21704, USADepartment of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USADepartment of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Corresponding author. Address: Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech, 1230 Washington Street, SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool that may be used to assist in identifying Listeria contamination sources and movement within environments, and to assess persistence. This study investigated sites in a produce packinghouse where Listeria had been historically isolated; and aimed to characterize dispersal patterns and identify cases of transient and resident Listeria. Environmental swab samples (n = 402) were collected from 67 sites at two time-points on three separate visits. Each sample was tested for Listeria, and Listeria isolates were characterized by partial sigB sequencing to determine species and allelic type (AT). Representative isolates from the three most common L. monocytogenes ATs (n = 79) were further characterized by WGS. Of the 144 Listeria species positive samples (35.8%), L. monocytogenes was the most prevalent species. L. monocytogenes was often coisolated with another species of Listeria. WGS identified cases of sporadic and continued reintroduction of L. monocytogenes from the cold storages into the packinghouse and demonstrated cases of L. monocytogenes persistence over 2 years in cold storages, drains, and on a forklift. Nine distinct clusters were found in this study. Two clusters showed evidence of persistence. Isolates in these two clusters (N = 11, with one historical isolate) were obtained predominantly and over multiple samplings from cold storages, with sporadic movement to sites in the packing area, suggesting residence in cold storages with opportunistic dispersal within the packinghouse. The other seven clusters demonstrated evidence of transient Listeria, as isolation was sporadic over time and space during the packing season. Our data provide important insights into likely L. monocytogenes harborage points and transfer in a packinghouse, which is key to root cause analysis. While results support Listeria spp. as a suitable indicator organism for environmental monitoring surveys, findings were unable to establish a specific species as an index organism for L. monocytogenes. Findings also suggest long-term persistence with substantial SNP diversification, which may assist in identifying potential contamination sources and implementing control measures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068850Environmental monitoringPersistencePrevalenceProduceRoot cause analysisSanitation |
| spellingShingle | Cameron A. Bardsley Renato H. Orsi Shelley Clark Claire M. Murphy Jennifer C. McEntire Martin Wiedmann Laura K. Strawn Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse Journal of Food Protection Environmental monitoring Persistence Prevalence Produce Root cause analysis Sanitation |
| title | Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse |
| title_full | Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse |
| title_fullStr | Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse |
| title_short | Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Assessing Resident and Transient Listeria monocytogenes in a Produce Packinghouse |
| title_sort | role of whole genome sequencing in assessing resident and transient listeria monocytogenes in a produce packinghouse |
| topic | Environmental monitoring Persistence Prevalence Produce Root cause analysis Sanitation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X23068850 |
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