Research -Prevalence and tracing of persistent Listeria monocytogenes strains in meat processing facility production chain

Practical application

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen with significant public health and economic impact. This study, focused on prevalence and tracing of L. monocytogenes strains in a traditional meat-processing facility, revealed persistent contamination by the pathogen. Data of PFGE profiling from repeated samplings over a four-year period facilitated to draw a spatial and temporal map of persistent L. monocytogenes strains spreading in a meat-processing facility and, subsequently, will allow optimisation of cleaning and disinfection measures to ensure hygiene. Based on the detection of virulence factors, persistent ECIII and comK prophage-positive strains were observed, indicating a higher risk of contamination by more virulent L. monocytogenes strains. The obtained results clearly indicate, that most attention should be paid to control strategy improvement in the meat processing chain focused preferably on prevention, not only to final products.