Through whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis, a recent study has revealed pervasive strains of Listeria monocytogenes to be a common issue throughout the Norwegian food system. The study also associated the pervasive strains with an overall increase in the pathogen’s persistence and stress survival.
Researchers subjected 769 L. monocytogenes isolates from food industry environments, foods, and raw materials to WGS, single-nucleotide polymorphism, and comparative genomic analyses in an attempt to better understand the pathogen’s diversity, distribution, persistence, and prevalence. The data set included isolates from nine meat and six salmon processing facilities in Norway over a period of three decades.