1Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru-575 018, Karnataka, India
2Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru-575 018, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding author E-mail: akhila@nitte.edu.in
Online published on 3 July, 2019.
In food industry, listeriosis, caused by Listeria is considered to be a menace, because of the pathogen's ability to combat processing conditions and to cause serious infection. Therefore, investigating the inhabitancy of Listeria in food products is a major necessity. This study aimed at isolation, characterization and antibiotic profiling of Listeria from various dairy products. Out of 60 samples, 7 were positive for Listeria by polymerase chain reaction. Species characterization marked the presence of two L. monocytogenes, four L. innocua and one L. welshimeri isolates. Virulence genes like act A, iap, hly and plcA were examined. All the 4 genes were detected in the obtained two isolates of L. monocytogenes. Out of 14 antibiotics used for antibiotic profiling, the isolate from raw milk showed resistance to vancomycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, oxacillin, and ampicillin. Interestingly, all the isolates showed sensitivity to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol.
Listeria, Ready to eat dairy products, PCR, Antibiotic resistance, Virulence, Routine testing
