title: Listeria monocytogenes: Occurrence in beef and identification of the main contamination points in processing plants.
abstract: This study aimed to establish the occurrence of Listeria spp., especially L. monocytogenes and its main serotypes, in beef and processing plants. A total of 443 samples were obtained from equipment, installations and products from 11 meat processing establishments from Paraná state, Brazil. All samples were analyzed using USDA methodology for Listeria spp. detection, followed by species identification. The occurrence of Listeria spp. in the samples was 38.1% of which 51.4% were from equipment, 35.4% from installations and 30.2% from products. The identified species were: L. monocytogenes (12.6%), L. innocua (78.4%), L. seeligeri (1.2%), L. welshimeri (7.2%) and L. grayi (0.6%). The identified serotypes of L. monocytogenes were 1/2a and 4b. The results demonstrate the significance of equipment and installations as sources of contamination by Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in the processing of beef and meat products.
authors: Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Caixa Postal 4508, 70910-970 Brasília, DF, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Caixa Postal 6001, 86051-990 Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Márcia A F
authors: MA
authors: Barros
authors: Luís A
authors: LA
authors: Nero
authors: Lívia C
authors: LC
authors: Silva
authors: Loredana
authors: L
authors: d'Ovidio
authors: Fabrício A
authors: FA
authors: Monteiro
authors: Ronaldo
authors: R
authors: Tamanini
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Fagnani
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Hofer
authors: Vanerli
authors: V
authors: Beloti