Listeria monocytogenes in organic and conventional farming: Epidemiology, risks, and solutions within a One Health framework

Listeria monocytogenes is a resilient, zoonotic pathogen that poses significant challenges across human, animal, plant, and environmental health systems. This review explores the epidemiology of L. monocytogenes within the One Health framework, emphasizing its transmission dynamics, risk factors, and implications for food safety. The pathogen's ability to persist in diverse environments, form biofilms, and withstand extreme conditions highlights its role as a major public health concern, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. The review examines the intersection of organic and conventional farming practices with L. monocytogenes contamination, noting the unique risks associated with organic fertilizers, wildlife exposure, and limited antimicrobial interventions. In contrast, conventional systems face challenges such as crowded animal housing and antimicrobial resistance. The role of plants as vectors, particularly through contaminated soil, irrigation water, and fertilizers, is underscored, with a focus on the risks linked to minimally processed and ready-to-eat foods. Environmental reservoirs, including soil, water, and biofilms, are identified as critical contributors to the pathogen's persistence and transmission. Climate change, agricultural practices, and industrial processes further exacerbate the complexity of L. monocytogenes control, necessitating cross-disciplinary approaches. The review concludes with a call to strengthen the One Health framework through integrated surveillance, sustainable farming practices, public awareness campaigns, and innovative technologies. By addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by L. monocytogenes, this approach aims to ensure food safety, promote ecological sustainability, and protect public health in an increasingly interconnected and climate-impacted world.