title: Serotypes and Pulsotypes diversity of Listeria monocytogenes in a beef-processing environment.
abstract: Utensils and equipment from meat-processing facilities are considered relevant cross-contamination points of Listeria monocytogenes to foods, demanding tracking studies to identify their specific origins, and predict proper control. The present study aimed to detect L. monocytogenes in a beef-processing facility, investigating the diversity of serotypes and pulsotypes in order to identify the possible contamination routes. Surface samples from knives (n=26), tables (n=78), and employees hands (n=74) were collected before and during the procedures from a beef-processing facility, in addition to surface samples of end cuts: round (n=32), loin (n=30), and chuck (n=32). All samples were subjected to L. monocytogenes screening according ISO 11.290-1, and the obtained isolates were subjected to serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Listeria spp. were identified in all processing steps, in 61 samples, and L. monocytogenes was detected in 17 samples, not being found only in knives. Eighty-five isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes, from serotypes 1/2c (n=65), 4b (n=13), and 1/2b (n=7), being grouped in 19 pulsotypes. Considering these results, cross-contamination among hands, tables, and beef cuts could be identified. The obtained data indicated the relevance of cross-contamination in the beef-processing facility, and the occurrence of serotypes 1/2b and 4b in beef cuts distributed for retail sale is a public health concern.
authors.affiliation: 1 Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa , Viçosa, Brazil .
authors.forename: Anderson Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.forename: Mariane Rezende
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Marcus Vinícius Coutinho
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Cossi
authors.forename: Frederico Germano Piscitelli Alvarenga
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Lanna
authors.forename: Valéria Quintana
authors.initials: VQ
authors.lastname: Cavicchioli
authors.forename: Deyse Christina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Vallim
authors.forename: Paulo Sérgio de Arruda
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: Luís Augusto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000069466:Red Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D012703:Serotyping