Clinical and genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis in a cat

Abstract

Background: Listeriosis is a severe foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, an important foodborne pathogen of animals and humans. Listeriosis is a rare disease in cats.

Objective: To describe the clinical, diagnostic imaging, histological, and microbiological features of L. monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis in a cat.

Animals: Listeria monocytogenes-associated mesenteric lymphadenitis was confirmed in a cat by histology and microbiology.

Results: Two distinct isolates of L. monocytogenes were cultured from the affected mesenteric lymph node and whole genome sequencing was performed.

Conclusion and clinical importance: This report should alert veterinary clinicians and microbiologists to the syndrome, which may have implications for health and food safety in animals and humans.

Keywords: Listeria; WGS; cat; feline; lymph node; virulence.