Abstract:
Objective To understand the distribution of virulence related genes of Listeria monocytogences strains isolated from food samples in China. Methods A total of 383 L. monocytogences strains were isolated from food samples, including raw meat, cooked food, vegetable, cold drink and aquatic product, in 14 provinces or municipalities. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA dot hybridization were conducted to detect 55 virulence related genes of L. monocytogences. Results The detection rates of the 50 virulence related genes were 100%, the detection rates of inlF, fbpA and mprF genes were 99.73%, the detection rate of aut gene was 99.22% and the detection rate of vip gene was 98.17%. Conclusion Most virulence related genes were detected in the 383 L. monocytogences strains from food samples in China, the deletion patterns of some virulence genes varied.