Commensal microbes provide first line defense against Listeria monocytogenes infection Journal Article


Authors: Becattini, S.; Littmann, E. R.; Carter, R. A.; Kim, S. G.; Morjaria, S. M.; Ling, L.; Gyaltshen, Y.; Fontana, E.; Taur, Y.; Leiner, I. M.; Pamer, E. G.
Article Title: Commensal microbes provide first line defense against Listeria monocytogenes infection
Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes septicemia, meningitis and chorioamnionitis and is associated with high mortality. Immunocompetent humans and animals, however, can tolerate high doses of L. monocytogenes without developing systemic disease. The intestinal microbiota provides colonization resistance against many orally acquired pathogens, and antibiotic-mediated depletion of the microbiota reduces host resistance to infection. Here we show that a diverse microbiota markedly reduces Listeria monocytogenes colonization of the gut lumen and prevents systemic dissemination. Antibiotic administration to mice before low dose oral inoculation increases L. monocytogenes growth in the intestine. In immunodeficient or chemotherapy-treated mice, the intestinal microbiota provides nonredundant defense against lethal, disseminated infection. We have assembled a consortium of commensal bacteria belonging to the Clostridiales order, which exerts in vitro antilisterial activity and confers in vivo resistance upon transfer into germ free mice. Thus, we demonstrate a defensive role of the gut microbiota against Listeria monocytogenes infection and identify intestinal commensal species that, by enhancing resistance against this pathogen, represent potential probiotics. © 2017 Becattini et al.
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Medicine
Volume: 214
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0022-1007
Publisher: Rockefeller University Press  
Date Published: 2017-07-03
Start Page: 1973
End Page: 1989
Language: English
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20170495
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5502438
PUBMED: 28588016
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Eric Pamer
    283 Pamer
  2. Ingrid Leiner
    49 Leiner
  3. Ying Taur
    147 Taur
  4. Lilan Ling
    44 Ling
  5. Rebecca Anne Carter
    13 Carter
  6. Sohn Kim
    6 Kim
  7. Emily Fontana
    31 Fontana