Frequency, antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food samples in Tehran, Iran

Background and Objective: Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne intracellular pathogen which can transmit to human through contaminated foods and causing meningitis, meningoencephalitis and abortion. This study was done to determine the frequency, antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food samples in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This descriptive was carried on 150 food samples including vegetables, cheese and meat were collected from supermarkets, open-air markets, and delicatessens in different regions of Tehran, Iran since April to September 2018. The presumptive isolates were characterized biochemically. All L. monocytogenes isolates were further analyzed by serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Results: Out of 150 samples, Listeria spp. was detected in 30 (20%) samples in which 9 (6%) were positive for L. monocytogenes [vegetables (n=4, 44.44%), cheese (n=2, 22.22%) and meat (n=3, 33.33%)]. of the 9 L. monocytogenes isolates, 5 (55.55 %), 3 (33.33 %), and 1 (11.11%) belonged to serotypes 4b, 1/2b, and 1/2a, respectively. The most L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to Trimetoprime, Sulfamethoxazole, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol, and Ciprofloxacin while were sensitive to Penicillin G, Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Ampicillin, and were intermediately resistant to Ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The rate of Contamination of vegetable, cheese and meat samples with L. monocytogenes is important in Tehran, Iran. Due to the potential contamination samples to Listeria, there is necessity need for continuous monitoring and the development of a precise program for identifying this bacterium in Tehran and the whole country