Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Faeces from Chickens, Sheep and Cattle in Elazığ Province

Authors: HAKAN KALENDER

Abstract: Faecal samples collected from 206 chickens, 170 sheep and 130 cattle were investigated for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in animals slaughtered at local abattoirs in Elazığ. The prevalance of L. monocytogenes was 4.36% in chickens, 0.58% in sheep and 1.53% in cattle. Of the 12 L. monocytogenes isolates, seven (58.33%) and five (41.66%) belonged to serotypes 1 and 4, respectively. Other species isolated were L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seeligeri, L. murrayi and L. grayi. These results indicate that animal faeces could be a source of contamination of carcasses with L. monocytogenes and may lead to foodborne listeriosis.

Keywords: Chicken, sheep, cattle, faeces, L. monocytogenes

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