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.