Abstract:
A total of 109 meat and meat product samples (50 beef, 52 pork sausages and 7 pork) were examined for the presence of Listeria species. Isolates were confirmed by biochemical characterization and haemolysis on blood agar. A total of 25 (22.94 percent) isolates were recovered. Of these, 7 (6.42 percent) were L. monocytogenes, while one (0.9 percent) was L. ivanovii. Other isolates were L. seeligeri (10), L. innocua (4), L. welshimeri (2) and L. grayi (1). All the isolates were further subjected to a PCR assay for detection of the hlyA gene, the hlyA gene was detected in 7 isolates. Multiplex-PCR serotyping assay revealed three of the strains belonging to serovar group 4b, 4d, 4e, and four to serovar group 1/2a, 3a. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in raw meat, particularly serogroup 4b, 4d, 4e in present study indicates a potential threat to public health.
