A novel mutation leading to a premature stop codon in inlA of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from neonatal listeriosis.

The study objective was to investigate whether the strain of L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2c isolated from neonatal listeriosis carries a premature stop codon (PMSC) mutation in the inlA gene. The strain was characterized by serotyping, macrorestriction analysis after digestion with the restriction enzyme AscI, and sequencing of the inlA gene. The tested strain of serotype 1/2c and pulsotype 1 possesses a new type of point mutation leading to a PMSC in the inlA gene and production of truncated internalin A. The case of early onset form of neonatal listeriosis caused by serotype 1/2c with a PMSC mutation in the inlA gene confirmed the transplacental transmission potential of this strain.