@article{lee_parsons_chen_dungan_kathariou_2023, title={Contrasting Genetic Diversity of Listeria Pathogenicity Islands 3 and 4 Harbored by Nonpathogenic Listeria spp.}, ISSN={["1098-5336"]}, DOI={10.1128/aem.02097-22}, abstractNote={
Listeria monocytogenes
is a serious foodborne pathogen that can harbor the pathogenicity islands
Listeria
pathogenicity island 3 (LIPI-3) and LIPI-4. Intriguingly, these have also been reported in nonpathogenic
L. innocua
from food and farm environments, though limited information is available for strains from the natural environment.
}, journal={APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Lee, Sangmi and Parsons, Cameron and Chen, Yi and Dungan, Robert S. S. and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2023}, month={Feb} }
@article{brown_chen_ivanova_leekitcharoenphon_parsons_niedermeyer_gould_strules_mesa-cruz_kelly_et al._2023, title={Draft Genome Sequences of 158 Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in the United States}, volume={12}, ISSN={2576-098X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mra.00248-23}, DOI={10.1128/mra.00248-23}, abstractNote={
Listeria monocytogenes
is responsible for severe foodborne disease and major economic losses, but its potential reservoirs in natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 158
L. monocytogenes
strains isolated from black bears (
Ursus americanus
) in the southeastern United States between 2014 and 2017.
}, number={7}, journal={Microbiology Resource Announcements}, publisher={American Society for Microbiology}, author={Brown, Phillip and Chen, Yi and Ivanova, Mirena and Leekitcharoenphon, Pimlapas and Parsons, Cameron and Niedermeyer, Jeffrey and Gould, Nicholas and Strules, Jennifer and Mesa-Cruz, J. Bernardo and Kelly, Marcella J. and et al.}, editor={Rasko, DavidEditor}, year={2023}, month={Jul} }
@article{vishnivetskaya_niedermeyer_guttierrez-rodriguerz_baltzegar_parsons_kathariou_thrash_2023, title={Draft genome sequence of Exiguobacterium sp. from whole cantaloupe, with inhibition capacity against Listeria monocytogenes}, ISSN={["2576-098X"]}, DOI={10.1128/mra.00850-23}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, journal={MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS}, author={Vishnivetskaya, Tatiana A. and Niedermeyer, Jeffrey and Guttierrez-Rodriguerz, Eduardo and Baltzegar, David and Parsons, Cameron and Kathariou, Sophia and Thrash, J. Cameron}, year={2023}, month={Dec} }
@article{brown_hernandez_parsons_chen_gould_deperno_niedermeyer_kathariou_2023, title={Tetracycline resistance in Listeria monocytogenes and L. innocua from wild black bears (Ursus americanus) in the United States is mediated by novel transposable elements}, volume={89}, ISSN={["1098-5336"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01205-23}, DOI={10.1128/aem.01205-23}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={11}, journal={Environmental Microbiology}, author={Brown, Phillip and Hernandez, Kevin and Parsons, Cameron and Chen, Yi and Gould, Nicholas and DePerno, Christopher S. and Niedermeyer, Jeffrey and Kathariou, Sophia}, editor={Dozois, Charles M.Editor}, year={2023}, month={Nov} }
@article{fan_foster_zhao_mukherjee_shrestha_parsons_kathariou_2022, title={Genomic Analysis Reveals That Isolation Temperature on Selective Media Introduces Genetic Variation in Campylobacter jejuni from Bovine Feces}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens11060678}, abstractNote={Campylobacter jejuni is commonly isolated on selective media following incubation at 37 °C or 42 °C, but the impact of these temperatures on genome variation remains unclear. Previously, Campylobacter selective enrichments from the feces of steers before and after ceftiofur treatment were plated on selective agar media and incubated at either 37 °C or 42 °C. Here, we analyzed the whole genome sequence of C. jejuni strains of the same multilocus sequence typing (MLST)-based sequence type (ST) and isolated from the same sample upon incubation at both temperatures. Four such strain pairs (one ST8221 and three ST8567) were analyzed using core genome and whole genome MLST (cgMLST, wgMLST). Among the 1970 wgMLST loci, 7–25 varied within each pair. In all but one of the pairs more (1.7–8.5 fold) new alleles were found at 42 °C. Most frameshift, nonsense, or start-loss mutations were also found at 42 °C. Variable loci CAMP0575, CAMP0912, and CAMP0913 in both STs may regularly respond to different temperatures. Furthermore, frameshifts in four variable loci in ST8567 occurred at multiple time points, suggesting a persistent impact of temperature. These findings suggest that the temperature of isolation may impact the sequence of several loci in C. jejuni from cattle.}, number={6}, journal={PATHOGENS}, author={Fan, Sicun and Foster, Derek and Zhao, Shaohua and Mukherjee, Sampa and Shrestha, Yesha and Parsons, Cameron and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2022}, month={Jun} }
@article{brown_kucerova_gorski_chen_ivanova_leekitcharoenphon_parsons_niedermeyer_jackson_kathariou_2022, title={Horizontal Gene Transfer and Loss of Serotype-Specific Genes in Listeria monocytogenes Can Lead to Incorrect Serotype Designations with a Commonly-Employed Molecular Serotyping Scheme}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2165-0497"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02745-22}, DOI={10.1128/spectrum.02745-22}, abstractNote={
Listeria monocytogenes
is a foodborne pathogen responsible for severe illness (listeriosis), especially in pregnant women and their fetuses, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Three serotypes, 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b, account for most human listeriosis, with certain serotype 4b clonal complexes (CCs) overrepresented in human disease.
}, journal={MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM}, author={Brown, Phillip and Kucerova, Zuzana and Gorski, Lisa and Chen, Yi and Ivanova, Mirena and Leekitcharoenphon, Pimlapas and Parsons, Cameron and Niedermeyer, Jeffrey and Jackson, James and Kathariou, Sophia}, editor={Chousalkar, KapilEditor}, year={2022}, month={Dec} }
@article{brown_chen_siletzky_parsons_jaykus_eifert_ryser_logue_stam_brown_et al._2021, title={Harnessing Whole Genome Sequence Data for Facility-Specific Signatures for Listeria monocytogenes: A Case Study With Turkey Processing Plants in the United States}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2571-581X"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.742353}, DOI={10.3389/fsufs.2021.742353}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive foodborne pathogen responsible for the severe disease listeriosis and notorious for its ability to persist in food processing plants, leading to contamination of processed, ready-to-eat foods. L. monocytogenes persistence in various food processing environments (FPEs) has been extensively investigated by various subtyping tools, with increasing use of whole genome sequencing (WGS). However, major knowledge gaps remain. There is a need for facility-specific molecular signatures not only for adequate attribution of L. monocytogenes to a specific FPE but also for improved understanding of the ecology and evolution of L. monocytogenes in the food processing ecosystem. Furthermore, multiple strains can be recovered from a single FPE sample, but their diversity can be underestimated with common molecular subtyping tools. In this study we investigated a panel of 54 L. monocytogenes strains from four turkey processing plants in the United States. A combination of WGS and phenotypic assays was employed to assess strain persistence as well as identify facility-specific molecular signatures. Comparative analysis of allelic variation across the whole genome revealed that allelic profiles have the potential to be specific to individual processing plants. Certain allelic profiles remained associated with individual plants even when closely-related strains from other sources were included in the analysis. Furthermore, for certain sequence types (STs) based on the seven-locus multilocus sequence typing scheme, presence and location of premature stop codons in inlA, inlB length, prophage sequences, and the sequence content of a genomic hotspot could serve as plant-specific signatures. Interestingly, the analysis of different isolates from the same environmental sample revealed major differences not only in serotype and ST, but even in the sequence content of strains of the same ST. This study highlights the potential for WGS data to be deployed for identification of facility-specific signatures, thus facilitating the tracking of strain movement through the food chain. Furthermore, deployment of WGS for intra-sample strain analysis allows for a more complete environmental surveillance of L. monocytogenes in food processing facilities, reducing the risk of failing to detect strains that may be clinically relevant and potentially novel.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS}, publisher={Frontiers Media SA}, author={Brown, Phillip and Chen, Yi and Siletzky, Robin and Parsons, Cameron and Jaykus, Lee-Ann and Eifert, Joseph and Ryser, Elliot and Logue, Catherine M. and Stam, Christina and Brown, Eric and et al.}, editor={Brown, PhillipEditor}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
@article{lee_parsons_chen_hanafy_brown_kathariou_2021, title={Identification and Characterization of a Novel Genomic Island Harboring Cadmium and Arsenic Resistance Genes in Listeria welshimeri}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2218-273X"]}, DOI={10.3390/biom11040560}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterial foodborne pathogen responsible for the severe disease listeriosis, frequently exhibits heavy metal resistance. Concurrent resistance to cadmium and arsenic in L. monocytogenes is strongly associated with the 35-kb chromosomal island LGI2. LGI2 has been encountered repeatedly among L. monocytogenes serotype 4b hypervirulent clones but, surprisingly, not among non-pathogenic Listeria spp. Here we describe a novel LGI2 variant, LGI2-3, in two L. welshimeri strains from an urban aquatic environment. Whole genome sequence analysis revealed that the genomes were closely related except for one prophage region and confirmed a chromosomally integrated LGI2-3. It harbored a cystathionine beta-lyase gene previously only encountered in LGI2-1 of L. monocytogenes clonal complex 1 but was otherwise most closely related to LGI2. LGI2-3 harbored a novel cadAC cassette (cadA7C7) that, like LGI2′s cadA4C4, was associated with lower-level tolerance to cadmium (MIC 50 μg/mL) than other cadAC cassettes (MIC ≥ 140 μg/mL). CadA sequence analysis identified two amino acids that may be important for mediating different levels of cadmium tolerance. Our findings clearly demonstrated the potential for LGI2-like islands to be harbored by non-pathogenic Listeria spp. and generate intriguing hypotheses on the genetic diversity mediated by this island and its transfer among Listeria spp.}, number={4}, journal={BIOMOLECULES}, author={Lee, Sangmi and Parsons, Cameron and Chen, Yi and Hanafy, Zahra and Brown, Eric and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2021}, month={Apr} }
@article{parsons_azizoglu_elhanafi_kathariou_2021, title={Mutant Construction and Integration Vector-Mediated Genetic Complementation in Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={2220}, ISBN={["978-1-0716-0981-1"]}, ISSN={["1940-6029"]}, DOI={10.1007/978-1-0716-0982-8_14}, abstractNote={Genes that play a role in stress response mechanisms and other phenotypes of Listeria monocytogenes can be identified by construction and screening of mutant libraries. In this chapter, we describe the construction and screening of mutant libraries of L. monocytogenes using the plasmid pMC38, carrying a mariner-based transposon system (TC1/mariner) and constructed by Cao et al. (Appl Environ Microbiol 73:2758–2761, 2007). Following screening of mutant libraries, putative mutants are identified and the transposon is localized, leading to identification of the genes responsible for the phenotype of interest. To confirm the role of the transposon-harboring gene in the relevant phenotype, transposon mutants are genetically complemented with the wild-type gene using the site-specific temperature-sensitive integration vector pPL2, constructed by Lauer et al. (J Bacteriol 184:4177–4186, 2002).}, journal={LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, 2 EDITION}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Azizoglu, Reha and Elhanafi, Driss and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2021}, pages={177–185} }
@article{lopez-perez_sai_sakamachi_parsons_kathariou_ninomiya-tsuji_2021, title={TAK1 inhibition elicits mitochondrial ROS to block intracellular bacterial colonization}, volume={118}, ISSN={["0027-8424"]}, DOI={10.1073/pnas.2023647118}, abstractNote={Significance}, number={25}, journal={PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA}, author={Lopez-Perez, Wilfred and Sai, Kazuhito and Sakamachi, Yosuke and Parsons, Cameron and Kathariou, Sophia and Ninomiya-Tsuji, Jun}, year={2021}, month={Jun} }
@misc{parsons_brown_kathariou_2021, title={Use of Bacteriophage Amended with CRISPR-Cas Systems to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in the Bacterial Foodborne Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2079-6382"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10030308}, DOI={10.3390/antibiotics10030308}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial foodborne pathogen and the causative agent of the disease listeriosis, which though uncommon can result in severe symptoms such as meningitis, septicemia, stillbirths, and abortions and has a high case fatality rate. This pathogen can infect humans and other animals, resulting in massive health and economic impacts in the United States and globally. Listeriosis is treated with antimicrobials, typically a combination of a beta-lactam and an aminoglycoside, and L. monocytogenes has remained largely susceptible to the drugs of choice. However, there are several reports of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species. Given the dire health outcomes associated with listeriosis, the prospect of antimicrobial-resistant L. monocytogenes is highly problematic for human and animal health. Developing effective tools for the control and elimination of L. monocytogenes, including strains with antimicrobial resistance, is of the utmost importance to prevent further dissemination of AMR in this pathogen. One tool that has shown great promise in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens is the use of bacteriophages (phages), which are natural bacterial predators and horizontal gene transfer agents. Although native phages can be effective at killing antibiotic-resistant pathogens, limited host ranges and evolved resistance to phages can compromise their use in the efforts to mitigate the global AMR challenge. However, recent advances can allow the use of CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) to selectively target pathogens and their AMR determinants. Employment of CRISPR-Cas systems for phage amendment can overcome previous limitations in using phages as biocontrol and allow for the effective control of L. monocytogenes and its AMR determinants.}, number={3}, journal={ANTIBIOTICS-BASEL}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Brown, Phillip and Kathariou, Sophia}, editor={Brown, PhillipEditor}, year={2021}, month={Mar} }
@misc{parsons_lee_kathariou_2020, title={Dissemination and conservation of cadmium and arsenic resistance determinants in Listeria and other Gram-positive bacteria}, volume={113}, ISSN={["1365-2958"]}, DOI={10.1111/mmi.14470}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={3}, journal={MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Lee, Sangmi and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2020}, month={Mar}, pages={560–569} }
@article{parsons_niedermeyer_gould_brown_strules_parsons_bernardo mesa‐cruz_kelly_hooker_chamberlain_et al._2020, title={Listeria monocytogenes
at the human–wildlife interface: black bears (
Ursus americanus
) as potential vehicles for
Listeria}, volume={13}, ISBN={1751-7915}, ISSN={1751-7915 1751-7915}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13509}, DOI={10.1111/1751-7915.13509}, abstractNote={Summary}, number={3}, journal={Microbial Biotechnology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Niedermeyer, Jeff and Gould, Nicholas and Brown, Phillip and Strules, Jennifer and Parsons, Arielle W. and Bernardo Mesa‐Cruz, J. and Kelly, Marcella J. and Hooker, Michael J. and Chamberlain, Michael J. and et al.}, editor={Brown, PhillipEditor}, year={2020}, month={May}, pages={706–721} }
@article{parsons_chen_niedermeyer_hernandez_kathariou_2019, title={Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Listeria innocua Strain UAM003-1A, Isolated from a Wild Black Bear (Ursus americanus)}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2576-098X"]}, DOI={10.1128/MRA.01281-19}, abstractNote={
There is currently limited knowledge of the genome sequences of nonpathogenic
Listeria
species, especially strains from wildlife. Here, we report the draft genome sequence and associated genome information of an antibiotic-resistant
Listeria innocua
strain, UAM003-1A, isolated from the feces of a black bear in California, USA.
}, number={47}, journal={MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Chen, Yi and Niedermeyer, Jeffrey and Hernandez, Kevin and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2019}, month={Nov} }
@misc{parsons_lee_kathariou_2019, title={Heavy Metal Resistance Determinants of the Foodborne Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2073-4425"]}, DOI={10.3390/genes10010011}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in the environment and causes the disease listeriosis. Metal homeostasis is one of the key processes utilized by L. monocytogenes in its role as either a saprophyte or pathogen. In the environment, as well as within an animal host, L. monocytogenes needs to both acquire essential metals and mitigate toxic levels of metals. While the mechanisms associated with acquisition and detoxification of essential metals such as copper, iron, and zinc have been extensively studied and recently reviewed, a review of the mechanisms associated with non-essential heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium is lacking. Resistance to both cadmium and arsenic is frequently encountered in L. monocytogenes, including isolates from human listeriosis. In addition, a growing body of work indicates the association of these determinants with other cellular functions such as virulence, suggesting the importance of further study in this area.}, number={1}, journal={GENES}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Lee, Sangmi and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2019}, month={Jan} }
@article{sai_parsons_house_kathariou_ninomiya-tsuji_2019, title={Necroptosis mediators RIPK3 and MLKL suppress intracellular Listeria replication independently of host cell killing}, volume={218}, ISSN={["1540-8140"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85067213651&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1083/jcb.201810014}, abstractNote={RIPK3, a key mediator of necroptosis, has been implicated in the host defense against viral infection primary in immune cells. However, gene expression analysis revealed that RIPK3 is abundantly expressed not only in immune organs but also in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the small intestine. We found that orally inoculated Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterial foodborne pathogen, efficiently spread and caused systemic infection in Ripk3-deficient mice while almost no dissemination was observed in wild-type mice. Listeria infection activated the RIPK3-MLKL pathway in cultured cells, which resulted in suppression of intracellular replication of Listeria. Surprisingly, Listeria infection–induced phosphorylation of MLKL did not result in host cell killing. We found that MLKL directly binds to Listeria and inhibits their replication in the cytosol. Our findings have revealed a novel functional role of the RIPK3-MLKL pathway in nonimmune cell-derived host defense against Listeria invasion, which is mediated through cell death–independent mechanisms.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY}, publisher={Rockefeller University Press}, author={Sai, Kazuhito and Parsons, Cameron and House, John S. and Kathariou, Sophia and Ninomiya-Tsuji, Jun}, year={2019}, month={Jun}, pages={1994–2005} }
@article{parsons_jahanafroozi_kathariou_2019, title={Requirement of lmo1930, a Gene in the Menaquinone Biosynthesis Operon, for Esculin Hydrolysis and Lithium Chloride Tolerance in Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2076-2607"]}, DOI={10.3390/microorganisms7110539}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is widely distributed in nature, having been isolated from a variety of sources such as soil, water, plant matter, and animals. In addition, L. monocytogenes is often detected in the regular sampling of food and food processing environments. The most common method for detecting L. monocytogenes is the use of selective enrichments. Both lithium chloride and esculin, in combination with ferric ammonium citrate, are utilized in several of the most commonly-employed selective enrichment schemes for L. monocytogenes. Here we report that transposon-based inactivation of lmo1930, one of the genes in the menaquinone biosynthesis operon, via transposon mutagenesis severely impaired the ability of L. monocytogenes to grow in the presence of lithium chloride or hydrolyze esculin, and conferred reduced growth and colony size. All phenotypes were restored upon genetic complementation. Thus, strains of L. monocytogenes with mutations leading to inactivation of lmo1930 may evade many commonly-used selective enrichment protocols employed in the detection of L. monocytogenes.}, number={11}, journal={MICROORGANISMS}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Jahanafroozi, Midya and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2019}, month={Nov} }
@article{jayeola_parsons_gorski_kathariou_2019, title={Validation of an ampicillin selection protocol to enrich for mutants of Listeria monocytogenes unable to replicate on fresh produce}, volume={366}, ISSN={["1574-6968"]}, DOI={10.1093/femsle/fnz076}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={7}, journal={FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS}, author={Jayeola, Victor and Parsons, C. and Gorski, L. and Kathariou, S.}, year={2019}, month={Apr} }
@article{price_parsons_kathariou_2018, title={RNA Helicase Mediates Competitive Fitness of Listeria monocytogenes on the Surface of Cantaloupe}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2311-7524"]}, DOI={10.3390/horticulturae4040040}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is implicated in numerous outbreaks of disease (listeriosis) via fresh produce. The genetic features of L. monocytogenes that allow adherence and growth on produce remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, two non-motile transposon mutants were characterized for attachment, growth, and survival on the surface of cantaloupe rind. One of the mutants, L1E4, harbored a single transposon insertion in a DEAD-box RNA helicase gene (lmo0866 homolog), while the other, M1A5, harbored an insertion in a gene from a flagellum biosynthesis and chemotaxis gene cluster (lmo0694 homolog). When inoculated alone, neither mutant was significantly impaired in growth or survival on the surface of cantaloupe at either 25 or 37 °C. However, when co-inoculated with the wildtype parental strain, the RNA helicase mutant L1E4 had a clear competitive disadvantage, while the relative fitness of M1A5 was not noticeably impacted. Genetic complementation of L1E4 with the intact RNA helicase gene restored relative fitness on cantaloupe. The findings suggest that the DEAD-box RNA helicase encoded by the lmo0866 homolog is critical for relative fitness of L. monocytogenes on cantaloupe. Mutant L1E4 was pleiotropic, being not only non-motile but also cold-sensitive and with reduced hemolytic activity, warranting further studies to elucidate the role of this helicase in the competitive fitness of L. monocytogenes on produce.}, number={4}, journal={HORTICULTURAE}, author={Price, Robert and Parsons, Cameron and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2018}, month={Dec} }
@article{parsons_lee_jayeola_kathariou_2017, title={Novel Cadmium Resistance Determinant in Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={83}, ISSN={["1098-5336"]}, DOI={10.1128/aem.02580-16}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={5}, journal={APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Lee, Sangmi and Jayeola, Victor and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2017}, month={Mar} }
@article{parsons_costolo_brown_kathariou_2017, title={Penicillin-binding protein encoded by pbp4 is involved in mediating copper stress in Listeria monocytogenes}, volume={364}, ISSN={["1574-6968"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx207}, DOI={10.1093/femsle/fnx207}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes raises major food safety and public health concerns due to its potential for severe foodborne disease and persistent colonization of food processing facilities. Copper is often employed to control pathogens in agriculture and is increasingly used in healthcare facilities, but mechanisms mediating tolerance of L. monocytogenes to copper remain poorly understood. A mariner‐based mutant library of L. monocytogenes 2011L‐2858, implicated in the 2011 listeriosis outbreak via whole cantaloupe, was screened for growth at sublethal levels of copper yielding mutant G2B4 with decreased copper tolerance. The transposon was localized in pbp4 (lmo2229 homolog), encoding a penicillin‐binding protein (PBP). In addition to reduced copper tolerance, G2B4 exhibited increased susceptibility to &bgr;‐lactam antibiotics, reduced biofilm formation and reduced virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. Mutant phenotypes were fully restored upon genetic complementation of G2B4 with intact pbp4. Findings provide the first evidence for the role of a PBP in copper tolerance of L. monocytogenes and suggest that pbp4 may be a suitable target to enable the use of lower levels of copper or enhance the effectiveness of levels currently in use. Given the wide distribution of PBPs and their highly conserved nature, this could have profound impacts in regard to ecology and control of L. monocytogenes and other microorganisms.}, number={20}, journal={FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Parsons, Cameron and Costolo, Ben and Brown, Phillip and Kathariou, Sophia}, editor={Brown, PhillipEditor}, year={2017}, month={Oct} }
@article{lee_ward_jima_parsons_kathariou_2017, title={The Arsenic Resistance-Associated Listeria Genomic Island LGI2 Exhibits Sequence and Integration Site Diversity and a Propensity for Three Listeria monocytogenes Clones with Enhanced Virulence}, volume={83}, ISSN={["1098-5336"]}, DOI={10.1128/aem.01189-17}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={21}, journal={APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Lee, Sangmi and Ward, Todd J. and Jima, Dereje D. and Parsons, Cameron and Kathariou, Sophia}, year={2017}, month={Nov} }
@article{palerme_pan_parsons_kathariou_ward_jacob_2016, title={Isolation and characterization of atypical Listeria monocytogenes associated with a canine urinary tract infection}, volume={28}, ISSN={1040-6387 1943-4936}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1040638716661381}, DOI={10.1177/1040638716661381}, abstractNote={Listeria monocytogenes, a well-described cause of encephalitis and abortion in ruminants and of food-borne illness in humans, is rarely associated with disease in companion animals. A case of urinary tract infection associated with an atypical, weakly hemolytic L. monocytogenes strain is described in a diabetic dog. The serotype of the L. monocytogenes isolate was determined to be 1/2a (3a), with the multilocus genotyping pattern 2.72_1/2a. A nucleotide substitution (Gly145Asp) was detected at residue 145 in the promoter prfA region. This residue is within the critical helix-turn-helix motif of PrfA. The source of the L. monocytogenes strain remains unknown, and the dog recovered after a 4-week course of cephalexin (30 mg/kg orally twice daily).}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation}, publisher={SAGE Publications}, author={Palerme, Jean-Sébastien and Pan, Po Ching and Parsons, Cameron T. and Kathariou, Sophia and Ward, Todd J. and Jacob, Megan E.}, year={2016}, month={Aug}, pages={604–607} }
@article{pritchard_jacob_ward_parsons_kathariou_wood_2016, title={Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in an immunocompromised dog}, volume={45}, ISSN={["1939-165X"]}, DOI={10.1111/vcp.12363}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={2}, journal={VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY}, author={Pritchard, Jessica C. and Jacob, Megan E. and Ward, Todd J. and Parsons, Cameron T. and Kathariou, Sophia and Wood, Michael W.}, year={2016}, month={Jun}, pages={254–259} }