INCIDENCE OF LISTERIA SPECIES IN SEAFOOD PRODUCTS OF MYSORE, INDIA

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most important foodborne pathogens causing illness in humans and animals. Thus, a study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of Listeria species in fresh and dry fish samples marketed in Mysore, India. A total of 164 fresh and dry fish samples collected from retail outlet shops of Mysore, South India, during the period August 2005 through August 2006 were examined for the presence of Listeria species by using ISO 11290 protocol. The incidence of Listeria species was positive in 62 samples (37.8%), and L. monocytogenes was isolated from only three (1.83%) fresh fish samples. Listeria species in seafood were predominant in the order of Listeria innocua (50) (30.49%), Listeria grayi (eight) (4.9%), L. monocytogenes (three) (1.83%) and Listeria seeligeri (one) (0.6%). All isolates of Listeria species were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with the genus‐specific set of primers, and special emphasis was given for detection of L. monocytogenes using a species‐specific set of primers. The specificity and sensitivity of PCR were in good correlation with the cultural methods. The results indicated a high incidence of Listeria species and L. monocytogenes in fresh fish samples. This warrants the need for appropriate control measures as this would pose a serious threat to human health.

Prevalence of Listeria species in fresh and frozen fish and shrimp in Iran

“…The incidence of L. monocytogenes in our study was found to be 2.2% in fresh and frozen shrimp samples. These results are in agreement with reports by Masuda et al (1992) in Japan, Adesiyun et al (1993) in Trinidad, McLauchlin andNichols (1994) in England, Jinneman et al (1999) in the United States, and Moharem et al (2007) in India, where the bacteria were detected from 1.4%, 2.0%, 6.0%, 5.0% and 6.7% of fresh or frozen shrimp samples, respectively. However, higher contamination rates (10-53%) have also been reported (Jeyasekaran et al 1996;Cordano and Rocourt 2001;Ellner et al 1991;Minami et al 2010;Wan Norhana et al 2010).…”

“…In France, Ravomanana et al (1993) isolated Listeria in 23.5% of fresh shrimp samples. Manoj et al (1991), Dhanashree et al (2003), Moharem et al (2007) and Parihar et al (2008) detected Listeria spp. in 10.5%, 9.1%, 73.3% and 30.0% of fresh and frozen shrimp in India, respectively.…”

Biopreservation of Sardinella longiceps and Penaeus monodon Using Protective Culture Streptococcus phocae PI 80 Isolated from Marine Shrimp Penaeus indicus

“…From harvest to consumption, fish is easily contaminated by microorganisms that limit the shelf life of fishery products and because of this reason fresh fish is an extremely perishable food. During the course of storage, certain pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahemolyticus can grow from contaminated fish as well as from the processing environments [18]. The ban of chemical additives and antibiotic preservatives has driven the food research toward the search for natural antimicrobial compounds for food preservation.…”

Listeria monocytogenes in Aquatic Food Products—A Review

“…In Iceland, Listeria was observed in 20.9% of the fresh shrimp studied (Gudmundsdottir and others ). However, several researchers (Dhanashree and others ; Moharem and others ; Jalali and Abedi ) did not observe L. monocytogenes in fresh shrimp samples. Although these products might contain L. monocytogenes , they do not pose a risk to the majority of consumers because they are generally cooked before consumption, similar to other aquatic food products.…”