Molecular and environmental indicators of Listeria monocytogenes persistence in food processing facilities: a multi sector approach
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen capable of persisting in food processing environments. This persistence results from interactions between strain-specific traits and environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify molecular and environmental indicators associated with L. monocytogenes persistence across high-risk food production sectors. Three environmental sampling events were conducted in nine facilities from seafood, vegetable, and pork (n = 3 each) sectors. In total 1097 samples were analysed for the presence of L. monocytogenes, the temperature, and surface characteristics, pH, humidity, temperature, and surface characteristics. L. monocytogenes was detected in 114 samples (≈10%), with the highest prevalence observed in the vegetable sector. Isolates were characterized by Whole Genome Sequencing and classified into persistent or transient clusters based on core genome multilocus sequence typing profiles. Persistent clusters were defined by ≤ 7 allelic differences and repeated detection across at least two sampling events, whereas transient isolates were detected only once. We identified 13 persistent clusters including 67 isolates, of which 42 were assigned to CC121, 9 to CC5, 5 to CC31, 4 to CC101, 4 to CC155, and 3 to CC412. Pangenome analysis identified several loci enriched among persistent isolates, including prophage-related loci, genes encoding transport systems such as TatA, TatC and EfeO, and genes involved in stress response mechanisms. Persistence was associated with higher total microbial counts and high humidity, with persistent isolates mainly detected under conditions exceeding 5–6 log CFU/mL of total microbial counts and 80% relative humidity. Overall, results highlight persistence arising from the interplay between bacterial genetic traits and environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches for monitoring and control in food processing environments.
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BibTeX
@article{bellay2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular and environmental indicators of Listeria monocytogenes persistence in food processing facilities: a multi sector approach}},
author = {Maylis Bellay and Virginie Chesnais and Bastien Frémaux and Carole Feurer and Pauline Champigny and Aurélie Hanin and Erwan Bourdonnais and Benjamin Duqué and Guylaine Leleu and Mélanie Gay and Christophe Soumet and Dominique Hurtaud-Pessel and Kahina Slimani and Meryl Vila Nova and Arnaud Bridier and Thomas Brauge},
journal = {Food Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.fm.2026.105275},
url = {https://anses.hal.science/anses-05802662v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular and environmental indicators of Listeria monocytogenes persistence in food processing facilities: a multi sector approach
AU - Maylis Bellay
AU - Virginie Chesnais
AU - Bastien Frémaux
AU - Carole Feurer
AU - Pauline Champigny
AU - Aurélie Hanin
AU - Erwan Bourdonnais
AU - Benjamin Duqué
AU - Guylaine Leleu
AU - Mélanie Gay
AU - Christophe Soumet
AU - Dominique Hurtaud-Pessel
AU - Kahina Slimani
AU - Meryl Vila Nova
AU - Arnaud Bridier
AU - Thomas Brauge
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Food Microbiology
DO - 10.1016/j.fm.2026.105275
UR - https://anses.hal.science/anses-05802662v1
AB - Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen capable of persisting in food processing environments. This persistence results from interactions between strain-specific traits and environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify molecular and environmental indicators associated with L. monocytogenes persistence across high-risk food production sectors. Three environmental sampling events were conducted in nine facilities from seafood, vegetable, and pork (n = 3 each) sectors. In total 1097 samples were analysed for the presence of L. monocytogenes, the temperature, and surface characteristics, pH, humidity, temperature, and surface characteristics. L. monocytogenes was detected in 114 samples (≈10%), with the highest prevalence observed in the vegetable sector. Isolates were characterized by Whole Genome Sequencing and classified into persistent or transient clusters based on core genome multilocus sequence typing profiles. Persistent clusters were defined by ≤ 7 allelic differences and repeated detection across at least two sampling events, whereas transient isolates were detected only once. We identified 13 persistent clusters including 67 isolates, of which 42 were assigned to CC121, 9 to CC5, 5 to CC31, 4 to CC101, 4 to CC155, and 3 to CC412. Pangenome analysis identified several loci enriched among persistent isolates, including prophage-related loci, genes encoding transport systems such as TatA, TatC and EfeO, and genes involved in stress response mechanisms. Persistence was associated with higher total microbial counts and high humidity, with persistent isolates mainly detected under conditions exceeding 5–6 log CFU/mL of total microbial counts and 80% relative humidity. Overall, results highlight persistence arising from the interplay between bacterial genetic traits and environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches for monitoring and control in food processing environments.
SN - 0740-0020
SN - 1095-9998
ER -