Listeria monocytogenes in food products, and its virulence in North Africa

Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant threat to food safety worldwide, including in African countries. This bacterium is capable of causing severe infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. In this review, we provide an overview of the prevalence, transmission, and control measures of L. monocytogenes in the food chain across North Africa. Various factors contribute to the persistence and spread of this pathogen in food production and distribution systems, including environmental contamination, improper handling, and inadequate hygiene practices. Understanding the dynamics of L. monocytogenes in the North African food chain is crucial for implementing effective control strategies to mitigate the risk of contamination and protect public health. This review highlights the rise of virulence genes in L. monocytogenes from food production, especially milk production, over the past five years and their subsequent identification in human L. monocytogenes isolates from listeriosis cases. This underscores the persistent challenges that L. monocytogenes may pose to food safety and public health in North African countries.