Department of Veterinary Public Health, Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Science University, Seminary Hills, Nagpur-440006, (Maharashtra). drashwini_23@rediffmail.com
Nine isolates of Listeria species from the foods of animal origin were processed for plasmid profile studies, using the techniques of alkaline lysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Plasmid profiling revealed seventeen plasmid profile patterns with molecular weight ranging from 27.642 kb to 360.850 kb. Curing study of seven azithromycin resistant plasmid bearing listerial isolates responded to curing by showing elimination of plasmids. The frequency of curing was found to be 100 per cent. Processing of the cured isolates for further antibiotic sensitivity against azithromycin demonstrated sensitivity thus revealing correlation among plasmid bearing and antibiotic resistance. Findings of the present study indicate the possibilities of plasmid profile as a valuable epidemiological tool in differentiating the strains with different source of origin.
