Study Demonstrates Listeria Persister Cells’ Susceptibility to Chlorine
A recent study has demonstrated the ability of Listeria monocytogenesto develop persister cells under produce packinghouse conditions, as well as persisters’ susceptibility to chlorine treatment where antibiotics fail. Persisters, a subpopulation of growth-arrested cells, are considered a public health concern due to their antimicrobial tolerance and the risk of them reverting to an active state under ideal conditions.
For the study, researchers isolated 34 L. monocytogenes strains from produce processing plants and packinghouses in California. The three strains with the strongest adherence abilities were identified using a fluorescent microplate adherence assay, and were further used for experimentation.