Correlations between molecular subtyping and serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes

To define relationships between Listeria monocytogenes genetic lineages, ri botypes, and serotypes, 235 L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized by serotyping and automated EcoRI ribotyping. Genetic lineage predicted the f ollowing serovar clusters: lineage I, comprising serotypes 1/2b, 3b, 3c, an d 4b; lineage II, comprising serotypes 1/2a, 1/2c, and 3a; and lineage III, comprising serotypes 3a and Ic. Some EcoRI ribotypes contained multiple se rotypes; a subset of these isolates was further differentiated with PvuII r ibotyping. Of the 12: resultant EcoRI-PvuII combination types, only 4 conta ined multiple serotypes, demonstrating the potential of ribotyping for sero type prediction.