Correlations between Molecular Subtyping and Serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract
To define relationships between Listeria monocytogenes genetic lineages, ribotypes, and serotypes, 235 L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized by serotyping and automated Eco RI ribotyping. Genetic lineage predicted the following serovar clusters: lineage I, comprising serotypes 1/2b, 3b, 3c, and 4b; lineage II, comprising serotypes 1/2a, 1/2c, and 3a; and lineage III, comprising serotypes 4a and 4c. Some Eco RI ribotypes contained multiple serotypes; a subset of these isolates was further differentiated with Pvu II ribotyping. Of the 12 resultant Eco RI- Pvu II combination types, only 4 contained multiple serotypes, demonstrating the potential of ribotyping for serotype prediction.