Thesis supervisor: Csilla Mohácsiné Farkas
co-supervisor: Tekla Engelhardt
Location of studies (in Hungarian): SZIU Buda Campus, 1118 Budapest, Villányi út 29-43. Abbreviation of location of studies: SZIU
Description of the research topic:
Increasing evidence suggests that persistence of Listeria monocytogenes in food processing plants for years or even decades is an important factor in the transmission of this foodborne pathogen and the root cause of a number of human listeriosis outbreaks. Although L. monocytogenes persistence is typically identified through isolation of a specific molecular subtype from samples collected in a given environment over time, formal (statistical) criteria for identification of persistence are undefined. Environmental factors have been identified as key contributors to persistence; however, the mechanisms are less well understood. Persistent strains can possess specific characteristics that may facilitate persistence (e.g., biofilm formation and better adaptation to stress conditions). Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of persistent strains, and effects of other Listeria species or L. monocytogenes subtypes will be investigated to broaden our knowledge.