L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides upgraded to risk group 2

Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides is a gram-positive Lactic acid bacteria of the Lactobacillaceae family. The bacterium is distributed worldwide and is often found in fermentation of feed and food. It occurs in the production of silage and acid-fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, but can also lead to food spoilage. Individual isolates of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides are currently being investigated for their suitability as probiotic bacteria. L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides is as opportunistic pathogen and can cause infections and bacteremia in mostly – but not exclusively - immunosuppressed patients Infections with L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides are well treatable with various antibiotics such as gentamicin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and β-lactam antibiotics. In contrast, L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides one intrinsic resistance against glycopeptide antibiotics such as vancomycin.

L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides became in 1990 by the ZKBS without specific justification as a donor or recipient organism according to Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV of Risk group 1 In the Technical Rules for Biological Agents 466 (TRBA 466) “Classification of prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea”) L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides but assigned to risk group 2.

In their current statement from May 2023 recommends the ZKBS L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides according to Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV in conjunction with the criteria in Annex 1 GenTSV as a donor and recipient organism for genetic engineering work in the Risk group 2 The bacterium is usually an opportunistic pathogen, but can also cause infections in immunocompetent individuals.

The complete ZKBS statement can be found at File number 45241.0251 can be retrieved.