Prevalence and serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in Chinese beef processing plants.
The aim of this work was to study the epidemiology of Listeria spp., particularly Listeria monocytogenes, and to identify the serotypes present in contaminated samples from beef processing plants in China. A total of 439 samples were obtained from bovine feces, hides, and carcasses at three commercial processing plants. A standard protocol (ISO 11290-1) was followed to detect Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the various L. monocytogenes serotypes. The overall prevalences of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes were 65.6% and 26.4%, respectively, and the contamination was highest in the hide samples. The identified L. monocytogenes serotypes were 1/2c and 1/2a. The results of the current study indicate that Listeria spp. contamination is common in Chinese beef processing plants; specific measures should be taken to prevent and/or treat L. monocytogenes contamination of feces and hides in beef slaughter plants. Furthermore, because Listeria spp. contamination was found to be prevalent, it should, therefore, be studied further. The prevention of cases of sporadic listeriosis in China should also be addressed.
Lab of Beef Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China.
Lixian
L
Zhu
Xiaohui
X
Feng
Lihua
L
Zhang
Ruiliang
R
Zhu
Xin
X
Luo
D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D002681:China; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008087:Listeria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry / Q000379:methods; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity