Molecular investigation of a listeriosis outbreak in goats caused by an unusual strain of Listeria monocytogenes

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1999 Aug 1;215(3):369-71, 340.

Abstract

During a 16-month period, 10 goats with listeriosis were identified in 2 herds that shared 3 bucks, including 1 that died of listeriosis. Using DNA fingerprinting, we determined that a single genetically unique Listeria monocytogenes strain had infected all goats from which isolates were available. All isolates were unable to metabolize rhamnose (rhamnose-negative), whereas as a species, L monocytogenes is considered to have a rhamnose-positive phenotype. Therefore, these isolates would have been characterized as a species other than L monocytogenes if any of a variety of commercial bacterial identification kits had been used for speciation. Silage was not fed to either herd, and L monocytogenes was not isolated from vaginal or rectal swab specimens obtained from healthy goats or from samples of feed. Because the 3 bucks were the only common elements between the 2 herds, our results suggest a venereal route of transmission for listeriosis.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary
  • Animals
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Gentamicins / therapeutic use
  • Goat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Goat Diseases / microbiology
  • Goat Diseases / transmission
  • Goats
  • Listeria monocytogenes / classification*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics
  • Listeriosis / epidemiology
  • Listeriosis / microbiology
  • Listeriosis / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Pregnancy
  • Rectum / microbiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / veterinary
  • Vagina / microbiology

Substances

  • Gentamicins
  • Penicillin G