Final answer:
The assumption that mice are immune to Listeria monocytogenes is not completely accurate. Mice may exhibit resistance to certain strains, which is attributed to differences in their immune response compared to humans. However, mice are not universally immune to this bacterium.
Step-by-step explanation:
The query as to why mice are immune to Listeria monocytogenes is rooted in the biological sciences, and more specifically, within the scope of microbiology and immunology. However, it should be noted that while the question assumes that mice are immune to Listeria monocytogenes, the statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that mice can sometimes show resistance to certain strains of this bacteria, they are not universally immune.
Mice have often been used as models in scientific research to study listeriosis because they exhibit some levels of innate resistance compared to humans, likely due to differences in their immune system's ability to respond to the pathogen. Factors such as the species-specific virulence of Listeria monocytogenes, differences in the internalins (such as InlA and InlB) that the bacteria use to invade cells, and the mouse immune response can all contribute to the differing susceptibility between mice and humans. To accurately represent the relationship, one must consider that mice may show resilience to certain strains or under certain conditions, but they are not completely immune to Listeria monocytogenes.