Identification of protein biomarkers for differentiating Listeria monocytogenes genetic lineage III

Listeriamonocytogenes causes listeriosis and is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens. Different subtyping techniques classified L. monocytogenes into four genetic lineages(I, II,III and IV)and seventeen serotypes. Most outbreaks of listeriosis are caused by lineage I. Lineage II is mostly associated with sporadic listeriosis, while Lineage III strains are typically lower risk for causing listeriosis. Listeriosis mainly affectselderly, immunosuppressed, children,andpregnant women causing fetal death, miscarriage, meningitis, encephalitis, and septicemia. Therefore, it is important to differentiate high-risk strains from low-risk strains, which will permit early and appropriate interventions. Our main goal in this current work is to detect candidate biomarkers unique to lineage III strains that can be used to differentiate lineage III strains from lineage I and II. To achieve this goal, mass spectrometry, bioinformatics,and comparative proteomics were applied to detect biomarkers unique to lineage III strains