Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Research Article
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 2 (5S): 5 - 10. Special Issue-5 (Listeriosis and its public health concerns)
http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2014/2.5s.5.10
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Mamta Negia, Deepak Bhiwa Rawoola*, Jess Vergisa , Pankaj Dhakaa, Deepthi Vijaya, Vysakh Mohana, Rahul Suryavanshia, Satya Veer Singh Malika, Ashok Kumara, Sukhadeo Baliram Barbuddheb, Pramod Wasudeo Ramtekec
aDivision of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, Pin- 243 122, bICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa, India, cPin- 403 402, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Pin- 211007.
*Corresponding author: deepak.rawool@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Studies addressing isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from febrile gastroenteritis cases are very sparse. In the present study sporadic febrile diarrheal cases in human infants (less than 5 years of age) and young animals (0 - 6 months) were initially analyzed for isolation of L. monocytogenes. The isolates recovered were further characterized for their virulence potential using in vitro and in vivo pathogenicity tests and serogrouping by multiplex serotyping PCR. A total of 315 diarrhoeal samples (165 human infants and 150 young animals) were collected and analyzed for isolation of L. monocytogenes. On microbiological and biochemical analysis, four L. monocytogenes isolates were identified, two each from human infants and piglet respectively. The overall isolation rate of L. monocytogenes was very low in human infants (1.2%) and piglets (1.3%); however all the isolates were found to be highly pathogenic when assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Further, serotyping revealed that all the four L. monocytogenes isolates, belonged to serogroup 4b, 4d, 4e, which is a matter of great concern as serovar 4b in particular, is generally associated with listerial foodborne outbreaks worldwide. To conclude, isolation of pathogenic L. monocytogenes from sporadic febrile diarrheal cases (human infants and piglets) appears to be the first report in India. Thus, from future human and animal health perspective, due consideration should be imposed for either isolation or detection of L. monocytogenes from febrile gastroenteritis cases.

Key Words: Listeria monocytogenes, febrile gastroenteritis, human infants, young animals, pathogenic, serogroup.