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Page No. : 83-88

ABSTRACT

A total of 109 meat and meat product samples (50 beef, 52 pork sausages and 7 pork) wereexamined for the presence of Listeria species. Isolates were confirmed by biochemical characterization and haemolysis on blood agar. A total of 25 (22.94%) isolates were recovered. Of these, 7(6.42%) were L. monocytogenes, while one (0.9%) 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.

Keywords: Listeria, raw meat, PCR, processed meats