Isolation and detection of Listeria monocytogenes in poultry meat by standard culture methods and PCR

J Kureljušić,B Kureljušić,N Karabasil,B Pisinov,N Jezdimirović,N Rokvić

doi:10.1088/1755-1315/85/1/012069

J Kureljušić, B Kureljušić + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/85/1/012069

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Abstract

Listeria is the genus of a bacteria found in soil and water and some animals, including poultry and cattle. It can be present in raw milk and food made from raw milk. It can also live in food processing plants and contaminate a variety of processed meats. Microscopically, Listeria species appear as small, Gram-positive rods, which are sometimes arranged in short chains. In direct smears, they can be coccoid, so they can be mistaken for streptococci. Longer cells can resemble corynebacteria. Flagella are produced at room temperature but not at 37°C. Haemolytic activity on blood agar has been used as a marker to distinguish Listeria monocytogenes among other Listeria species, but it is not an absolutely definitive criterion. Further biochemical characterization is necessary to distinguish between the different Listeria species. The objective of this study was to detect, isolate and identify Listeria monocytogenes from poultry meat. Within a period of six months from January to June 2017, a total of 15 samples were collected. Three samples were positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Biochemical and microbiological tests as well as PCR technique using specific primers were used to confirm L. Monocytogenes in the samples.

Highlights

Listeria monocytogenes is recognized as an important foodborne pathogen in many industrialized countries
Listeria species appear as small, Gram-positive rods, which are sometimes arranged in short chains
From a total of 15 poultry meat samples that were tested, 3 were positive for presence of L. monocytogenes and all 3 isolates were confirmed by PCR

Summary

Introduction

Listeria monocytogenes is recognized as an important foodborne pathogen in many industrialized countries. The consumption of food contaminated by L. Monocytogenes has been identified as the main transmission route for this pathogen in both humans and animals. Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness that can lead to abortion or serious cases of meningitis or encephalitis, and even death [1]. Since 2006, increasing numbers of listeriosis cases have been observed in several European Union countries, including France, predominantly in people of more than 60 years of age [4,5]. The ubiquitous character of the pathogen inevitably results in the contamination of numerous food products (such as milk and dairy products, raw vegetables, meat and meat products and seafood).

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