A better picture of Listeria reservoirs and global spread

Listeria monocytogenes is a major human foodborne pathogen, associated with one of the highest medical and economic burdens. In addition, L. monocytogenes is a well-established model microorganism to study host-pathogen interactions and the pathophysiology of infectious diseases. However, despite its public health and scientific importance, comprehensive studies on the geographic distribution of L. monocytogenes genomic diversity (phylogeography) and the factors that drove its emergence and spread were lacking. Two new studies from Institut Pasteur in collaboration with Université de Paris, the Necker-Enfants malades AP-HP Hospital and international teams provide a better understanding on Listeria ecological niches and the global spread of its main clinical clone.

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