Posted: June 26th, 2012 - 9:52am
Source: Food Control, Volume 28, Issue 2, December 2012, Pages 327–332

Abstract
In the present study, a total of 402 poultry product samples composed of raw, ready-to-cook (RTC) and ready-to-eat (RTE) products were examined for the presence of Listeria spp. The total contamination rate with Listeria spp. in poultry products was 33.3% with a higher rate of contamination in warm seasons than in cold seasons. The most species recovered was Listeria innocua (46.3%); the remaining isolates wereListeria monocytogenes (38.8%), Listeria ivanovii (9.7%) and Listeria seeligeri (5.22%). L. monocytogeneswas detected in 14.1%, 12.2% and 11.4% of raw, RTC and RTE poultry products, respectively. Serotype 4b (44.9%) was the predominant serotype of L. monocytogenes isolates followed by 1/2a (40.8%), 1/2b (10.2%) and 1/2c (4.08%). Considering seasonal variability, 1/2a was the most prevalent serotype in warm seasons, while 4b was predominant in cold seasons. The Listeria spp. particularly L. monocytogenes isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin, penicillin, fluroquinolones and tetracycline. The results indicate that high prevalence of Listeria spp. especially L. monocytogenes in poultry products, and resistance of the isolates to the antimicrobials commonly used to treat human listeriosis could be a potential health hazard for consumers. In addition, prevalence of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b that involved in the majority of foodborne outbreaks of human listeriosis is a public health concern.
Highlights
► Prevalence of Listeria spp. in poultry products marketed in Iran was investigated. ► Listeria spp. was detected in 33.3% of the poultry products. ► L. monocytogenes was found in 14.1%, 12.2% and 11.4% of raw, RTC and RTE products. ► Serotype 4b was the most prevalent serotype of Listeria monocytogenes. ► Most of the isolated Listeria strains were resistant to antimicrobials.