Dimah Nazar Faraj✉ and Maryam Kamel Mohammed
Biology Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad. Baghdad, Iraq
Received: July 30, 2025/ Revised: Aug 19, 2025/Accepted: Aug 20, 2025
(✉) Corresponding Author:dima.passat@sc.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Highlights
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Reviews Listeria monocytogenes as a major foodborne pathogen with 20–30% mortality.
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Integrates global research (2015–2024) with Iraqi epidemiological data.
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Reports discovery of five new Listeria species (2021) and advances in WGS surveillance.
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Explores RNA-mediated regulation in Listeria pathogenesis.
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Iraqi prevalence rates (3.5–93.8%) exceed global averages.
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Iraqi isolates show >80% antibiotic resistance vs. 5–15% globally.
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Identifies control strategies and research priorities for improved listeriosis management.
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes represents a critical foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis, a severe infection with mortality rates of 20-30%. This comprehensive review integrates cutting-edge research from 2015-2024 with Iraqi epidemiological data to address significant knowledge gaps in regional surveillance and global comparative analysis. Recent discoveries include five novel Listeria species in 2021, revolutionary whole genome sequencing (WGS) surveillance systems, and advanced understanding of RNA-mediated regulation. Iraqi prevalence data reveals concerning patterns with rates ranging from 3.5% to 93.8% across different sample types, substantially higher than global averages. Critically, Iraqi isolates demonstrate alarming antibiotic resistance rates exceeding 80% for first-line treatments, compared to 5-15% globally. This review synthesizes global advances with regional data to identify control strategies and research priorities for enhanced listeriosis surveillance and management.
Keywords: Listeria, Monocytogenes, Genome, Sequencing, Epidemiology, Foodborne
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How to cite this article
Faraj, D.N & Mohammed, M.K. (2025). Listeria monocytogens: A review of its characteristics, pathogenicity and prevalence in Iraq. Microbial Science Archives, Vol. 5(3), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.47587/MSA.2025.5301
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