Prevalence of Listeria species in retail quail products from Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Listeria species are Gram positive, short, non sporing rods, microaerophilic. Of the six species currently recognized, Listeria monocytogenes is the most important as it causes a range of infections in humans and animals. This study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of Listeria spp. in retail quail products in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 150 samples of meat, liver, heart, kidney, and feces of quail were obtained from retail stores in Isfahan, and analyzed using standard culture methods and biochemical tests. Out of the total 150 samples, 10 (6/6%) were positive in Listeria spp. The occurrence of Listeria spp. in samples of meat, liver, heart, kidney, and feces was 10, 3, 0, 0, and 20% respectively. Only one sample was contaminated with L. monocytogenes (0/6%) and other samples were contaminated with Listeria innocua(6%). Key words: Quail, culture method, Listeria species.