Identification and molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated in raw milk in the region of Algiers (Algeria)

Int J Food Microbiol. 2007 May 1;116(1):190-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.12.038. Epub 2007 Jan 20.

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from raw milk, whey and curdled milk produced and collected in the region of Algiers and Blida between September 2003 and July 2004. Four out of 153 (2.61%) farm milk samples and 6 out of 80 (7.50%) tankers' samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes. All samples of whey and curdled milk (n=12) tested negative for L. monocytogenes, but 2 of 22 (9%) samples of whey were contaminated by L. innocua. L. monocytogenes isolates were grouped by a multiplex PCR assay; all isolates belonged to the PCR-group IVb, which corresponds to serovars 4b, 4d and 4e. L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The combination of AscI and ApaI macrorestriction patterns yielded five different pulsovars (I to V). The results indicate that raw milk, and raw milk products are potential sources of the L. monocytogenes and represent a potential risk for consumers.

MeSH terms

  • Algeria
  • Animals
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / methods
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / classification*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification*
  • Milk / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Risk Factors