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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #84540
Title: RAPID DETECTION METHODS OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN MECHANICALLY SEPARATED TURKEY MEAT

Author
item RAMOS, A - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item DICKSON, J - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item HARMON, K - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item WESLEY, IRENE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: As one of the top 4 foodborne pathogens, L. monocytogenes causes over 1,500 cases of human illness annually with a mortality rate of 35%. The cost of listeriosis in the U.S. averages $220 million per year. Finding a quick and reliable method to detect and identify L. monocytogenes is important in recognizing contaminated products. Previous reports show the distribution of L. monocytogenes in turkey products range from 76% in ground turkey, 90% in turkey frankfurters, and 38% in turkey parts such as legs and wings. Rapid methods were developed to detect and confirm L. monocytogenes in mechanically separated turkey meat. During two trials of 25 samples each, Listeria spp. were selected by using two enrichments (University of Vermont-modified I and II) and plating to Palcam agar base. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm Listeria isolations. The specificity of the multiplex PCR assay was evaluated with reference strains of Listeria. The Listeria spp. yield a single 938-bp product while L. monocytogenes yields the 938-bp product along with a 174-bp fragment. L. monocytogenes could not be detected by PCR in the UVM enrichment broths. However, the multiplex PCR assay performed from suspect colonies grown on Palcam indicated 24 out of 26 (92%) harbored Listeria spp. Of those 15 of 24 (58%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Further studies are underway to find PCR inhibitors in UVM broth.