Listeria monocytogenes antibody – clone LZH1

Listeria monocytogenes antibody (clone LZH1) recognises intact cells and outer membrane fraction of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The antibody is suitable for use as a capture antibody with clone LZF7 (MAB12259) in ELISA assays.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a rod-shaped, non-spore forming, gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium of the family Listeriaceae. L. monocytogenes is the causative agent of a severe and life threatening foodbourne disease known as listeriosis, which occurs worldwide and was first linked to Lm in the early 1980s. Twelve serotypes of L. monocytogenes have been identified based on the somatic (O) and flagellar (H) antigens present on the cell surface. Three serotypes, classified as 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b, are responsible for 95% of reported cases of listeriosis (CDC).

In nature, L. monocytogenes is ubiquitous in soil, water, animal waste and decaying plants, where it acts as a saprophyte. It is resistant to alcohol treatment, freezing and drying, and can survive under broad pH ranges and temperatures ranging from -2 to 42^oC. Transmission of Lm to humans can occur via a diverse range of food types including pre-cooked contaminated meat, unpasteurised dairy products, soft cheese, vegetables, fruit and undercooked ready-to-eat food products.

In the infected host, L.monocytogenes can invade and proliferate in a wide variety of cell types and tissues. Once inside the cell, Lm can enter the cytosol and evade the immune system by spreading from cell to cell, using the actin assembly machinery (David, DJV).

In healthy *****s, Lm infection may be asymptomatic or cause a self -limiting flu-like illness with vomiting and diarrhoea. However, in the elderly, newborn infants and immunocompromised individuals, invasive L.monocytogenes infection can occur leading to life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and septicaemia. In pregnant women, infection of the foetus in utero can cause spontaneous abortion (CDC). Although the number of annual reported cases of Listeriosis are relatively small, Lm infection carries a high risk of mortality and is therefore a global health concern.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Listeria (Listeriosis)

David DJV, Cossart P. 2017. Recent advances in understanding Listeria monocytogenes infection: the importance of subcellular and physiological context. F1000Res. 2017 Jul 13;6.

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