Horizontal gene transfer of virulence determinants in selected bacterial foodborne pathogens

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 969 - 977
• Main Authors: Kelly, B.G., Vespermann, A., Bolton, D.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2009
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - pathogenicity; bacterial contamination; conjugation; Conjugation, Genetic - genetics; E. coli O157:H7; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli - pathogenicity; Escherichia coli O157:H7; Food Microbiology; food pathogens; food safety; Food Supply; gene transfer; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; genes; genetic transduction; genetic transformation; Horizontal gene transfer; L. monocytogenes; Listeria; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria monocytogenes - genetics; Listeria monocytogenes - pathogenicity; literature reviews; Mice; microbiological quality; S. aureus; Salmonella; Salmonella - genetics; Salmonella - pathogenicity; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - genetics; Staphylococcus aureus - pathogenicity; Transduction, Genetic; Transformation, Bacterial - genetics; virulence; Virulence Factors - genetics; SaPI; EHEC; Salmonella; C; SCC; L. monocytogenes; S. aureus; HGT; SGI; DNA; Stx; MRSA; STEC; E. coli O157:H7; MDR; Inc; Horizontal gene transfer
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.02.007

This review describes horizontal gene transfer from a historical point of view, with descriptions of the first instances of the different bacterial transfer mechanisms: conjugation, transduction and transformation, as well as examples of some of the early acknowledged transfer events. Gene transfer from four selected foodborne pathogens: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella are highlighted.