How Do the Serotype 4b Specific Genes of Listeria Monocytogenes Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Listeriosis?
Location: Microbial Food Safety Research Unit Project Number: 1935-41420-012-07 Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement Start Date: Sep 30, 2006 End Date: Sep 29, 2010 Objective: Investigate the role of the L. monocytogenes serotype 4b-associated gtcA gene in the ability of the organism to cause systemic infection following ingestion. The gtcA gene product alters the surface of L. monocytogenes in a way that maximizes its ability to attach to and invade intestinal epithelial cells and other cells that are involved in the pathogenesis of foodborne listeriosis. Approach: Construct gtcA gene mutants (transposon and deletion) in food and patient isolates of L. monocytogenes recovered from relatively recent outbreaks of listeriosis. Compare the ability of these mutant strains with their wild type parent strains to adhere to and grow on RTE meat products, and cause systemic infection following their instillation into the gastrointestinal tract of susceptible A/J mice. Evaluate the influ
