Clinical and genomic features of a Listeria monocytogenes fatal case of meningitis in Madagascar

Listeriosis constitutes a significant public health threat due to its high mortality rate. This study investigates the microbiological and genomic characteristics of isolates in Madagascar, where listeriosis is a notifiable disease. The analysis focuses on a fatal case of meningeal listeriosis in a 12-year-old child. Genomic analysis revealed a novel cgMLST type (L2-SL8-ST8-CT11697; CC8, serogroup Iia) with typical virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles. These isolates, unique to Madagascar, formed an independent clade in the phylogenetic tree. This study presents the first genomic characterization of Listeria isolates in Madagascar, highlighting the necessity of ongoing genomic surveillance to strengthen listeriosis prevention and control strategies in the region.