Targeting of the central nervous system by Listeria monocytogenes

摘要: Among bacteria that reach the central nervous system (CNS), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is one of deadliest, in human and ruminant. This facultative intracellular bacterium has particularity to induce meningitis, meningoencephalitis rhombencephalitis. Mechanisms by which Lm accesses CNS remain poorly understood, but two major routes infection have been proposed, based on clinical, vitro vivo observations. A retrograde neural route likely occur ruminants upon crossing oral epithelium, this probably accounts for observation induces almost exclusively rhombencephalitis these animals. In contrast, hematogenous most frequent human, whom circulating blood, either free or associated with leukocytes are thought breach blood-brain barrier. New animal models faithfully reproduce hallmarks neurolisterisosis will allow addressing molecular mechanisms underlying ability disease, improve our understanding pathophysiology deadly infection.