Investigating the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes within food manufacturing sites across the UK using whole genome sequencing. Determination of biocide and antimicrobial resistance towards recommendations of contamination control

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, opportunistic pathogen. With the ability to grow at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius chilled, ready to eat (RTE) food products are most at risk of supporting the growth of this microorganism. Those most at risk of listeriosis, the disease caused by L. monocytogenes, include those whom are pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised. An intracellular pathogen, L. monocytogenes can cross the blood brain barrier and placenta. Listeriosis is a rarely reported disease in the UK with around 3 cases per million each year. However, amongst cases, the outcome in pregnancy remains severe with a third resulting in miscarriage or stillbirth, and a mortality rate of 24.6% amongst non-pregnancy related cases this is despite antibiotics being available (Swaminathan and Gerner-Smidt, 2007)