Antimicrobial resistance profile and virulence gene prevalence in Listeria monocytogenes isolates from raw meat products

Document Type : Full paper (Original article)

Authors

1 Department of Food Hygiene, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Department of Veterinary, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

3 Department of Biology, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran

10.22099/ijvr.2026.52645.7857

Abstract

Background: Human listeriosis epidemics are often related to the intake of contaminated food, particularly meat products. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular and phenotypic determination of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes in beef, sheep, goat, camel, and buffalo meat in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: A total of 300 raw meat samples were obtained from retail outlets. Biochemical analysis revealed that 129 samples (43%) were contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Using species-specific PCR (16S rRNA gene amplification), all 129 isolates obtained from the original samples were identified as L. monocytogenes. In this study, actA1, hylA, iap, plcA, prfA, intlA, and intB genes were evaluated using multiplex PCR. Multiplex PCR amplification of aadB, aac(3')-IIa, penA, ermA, ermB, tetM, tetA, sulI, and sulII was performed. Results: The average number of L. monocytogenes isolates in sheep, cow, camel, goat, and buffalo meat was 40%. L. monocytogenes isolates derived from raw meat exhibited the highest resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. In addition, the lowest resistance to Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was observed. After the hylA gene, the iap (44.18%) and actA1 (40.31%) genes had the greatest frequency across isolates from various meat sources. The genes penA, aadB, and aac(3')-IIa were found in most L. monocytogenes strains. The most identified genes among L. monocytogenes strains were penA, aadB, and aac(3)-IIa. Few strains were resistant to SXT, although penA was widely distributed (92.24%). Conclusion: In conclusion, L. monocytogenes isolates from raw meat exhibited a high prevalence of virulence genes and considerable resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. It is necessary to continuously track these features throughout the food chain to improve control measures and reduce public health risks.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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