{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T13:47:26Z","timestamp":1791899246355,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"American Society for Microbiology","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791849600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791849600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/non-commercial-tdm-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.asm.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Microbiol Spectr"],"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title\/>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Rapid and cost-effective tools are needed to complement whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in\n                      <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">Listeria monocytogenes<\/jats:italic>\n                      surveillance, particularly in settings with limited sequencing capacity. We evaluated the operational integration of Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a first-line screening method within a genomics-based surveillance algorithm. A total of 24\n                      <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">L. monocytogenes<\/jats:italic>\n                      isolates, including two epidemiologically confirmed outbreaks (\n                      <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">n<\/jats:italic>\n                      = 15) and unrelated sporadic isolates (\n                      <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">n<\/jats:italic>\n                      = 9), were analyzed. Species identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization\u2013time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and genomic characterization was conducted using WGS, including multilocus sequence typing and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. FT-IR spectra were acquired using the IR Biotyper system, and serogroup prediction and clustering were assessed using artificial neural network-based classification and multivariate analysis. FT-IR achieved 100% concordance with WGS for serogroup assignment, with consistently high confidence scores. Clustering analysis generated FT-IR groupings broadly concordant with WGS-defined outbreak clusters, correctly grouping isolates differing by \u22649 SNPs within the same outbreak-associated clusters while differentiating most genetically unrelated strains. FT-IR excluded seven of nine unrelated isolates from outbreak-associated clustering, although partial overlap was observed among highly clonal CC1 isolates. Operationally, FT-IR enabled preliminary results within 48\u201372 h after isolation, significantly reducing turnaround time compared to WGS. This tiered approach improves cost-efficiency by optimizing sequencing resource allocation, which is particularly relevant for low- and middle-income settings. These findings demonstrate that FT-IR spectroscopy provides rapid and reliable preliminary typing and can be effectively integrated into routine workflows, enhancing early outbreak detection and supporting more efficient measures. To our knowledge, this is among the first studies describing the structured integration of FT-IR into a genomics-based national surveillance workflow for\n                      <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">L. monocytogenes<\/jats:italic>\n                      , including its use as a real-time triage tool to optimize WGS allocation and accelerate epidemiological response in a public health reference laboratory setting.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                    <jats:p\/>\n                    <jats:sec>\n                      <jats:title>IMPORTANCE<\/jats:title>\n                      <jats:p>\n                        Using a well-characterized data set, including two epidemiologically confirmed outbreaks and sporadic isolates, we demonstrate complete concordance (100%) between Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR)-based serogroup prediction and whole-genome sequencing, along with the capacity of FT-IR to support rapid preliminary clustering. Notably, this study was conducted following the implementation of the first FT-IR system installed in Argentina, representing a major step forward in the incorporation of innovative technologies into national surveillance programs. To our knowledge, this is the first manuscript reporting the combined use of FT-IR spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization\u2013time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and genomics within an integrated surveillance framework for\n                        <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">Listeria monocytogenes<\/jats:italic>\n                        . This approach provides a novel and pragmatic model for strengthening microbiological surveillance in resource-constrained settings. Beyond analytical performance, this work provides a real-world, operational framework for integrating rapid phenotypic screening with genomic confirmation, enabling earlier outbreak detection, optimized use of sequencing resources, and the potential to accelerate source-tracking investigations.\n                      <\/jats:p>\n                    <\/jats:sec>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T13:01:21Z","timestamp":1791896481000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128\/asmj-crossmark-policy-page","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Operational integration of FT-IR spectroscopy into a genomics-based surveillance algorithm for\n                    <i>Listeria monocytogenes<\/i>"],"prefix":"10.1128","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2932-0537","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Maria Florencia","family":"Rocca","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Bacteriology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ariel","family":"Gianecini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Bacteriology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8370-1010","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Luc\u00eda","family":"Cipolla","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Bacteriology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paula","family":"Etcheverry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Bacteriology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7614-9272","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Daniel","family":"Cisterna","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"M\u00f3nica","family":"Prieto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Bacteriology Laboratory, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Carlos G. Malbr\u00e1n","place":["Buenos Aires, Argentina"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"235","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1128\/cmr.00060-19"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/nmicrobiol.2016.185"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mimet.2022.106564"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.analchem.8b01024"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1128\/jcm.01122-24"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_7_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10096-018-3431-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/mps7030048"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_9_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1735218"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_10_2","unstructured":"Ministerio de Salud de la Naci\u00f3n. 2025. Actualizaci\u00f3n de resultados de la investigaci\u00f3n de brote de listeriosis informada en el mes de abril de 2025. Internet. Ministerio de Salud de La Naci\u00f3n. Buenos Aires. https:\/\/www.argentina.gob.ar\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/comunicacion_epidemiologica_6_de_agosto-lifteriosis.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_11_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ram.2024.03.002"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_12_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cid\/ciw242"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_13_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clispe.2023.100030"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_14_2","unstructured":"European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 2024. Listeriosis \u2013 annual epidemiological report for 2023. ECDC. Stockholm. https:\/\/www.ecdc.europa.eu\/en\/publications-data\/listeriosis-annual-epidemiological-report-2023."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_15_2","unstructured":"European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 2024. Listeriosis \u2013 annual epidemiological report for 2022. ECDC. Stockholm. https:\/\/www.ecdc.europa.eu\/en\/publications-data\/listeriosis-annual-epidemiological-report-2022."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_16_2","unstructured":"European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 2024. Prolonged multi-country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes ST173 linked to consumption of fish products. ECDC\/EFSA. Stockholm\/Parma"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_17_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2903\/sp.efsa.2024.EN-8810"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_18_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2022.866462"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_19_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/foods11121760"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_20_2","unstructured":"Bruker Daltonics. 2023. IR Biotyper \u2013 microbial strain typing for real-time quality control and source tracking using FT-IR spectroscopy. Bruker Bremen. Available from: https:\/\/www.bruker.com\/en\/applications\/microbiology-and-diagnostics\/food-beverage-microbiology\/ir-biotyper-for-food-microbiology.html"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_21_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1128\/AEM.01532-16"}],"container-title":["Microbiology Spectrum"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T13:01:24Z","timestamp":1791896484000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.asm.org\/doi\/10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Irene","family":"Burckhardt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"editor"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]]},"references-count":20,"alternative-id":["10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1128\/spectrum.01237-26","relation":{},"ISSN":["2165-0497"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2165-0497","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-04-09","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-07-03","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-10-13","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e01237-26"}}