A PCR protocol using inl gene as a target for specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes (original) (raw)

Polymerase chain reaction is a powerful technique for detection of pathogens in foods. It is a rapid procedure with both sensitivity and speci®city for quick detection and identi®cation of speci®c pathogenic bacteria from dierent sources. Listeria monocytogenes detection methods based on PCR ampli®cation of the iap, prfA and hly gene sequences have been reported. The present study undertakes the development of an alternative PCR method using the inl gene sequences as a target to detect pathogenic L. monocytogenes. The presence of a unique and speci®c DNA ampli®cation fragment of 760 bp for the intragenic repeats B of the inlA gene in all strains of L. monocytogenes as compared to none in other Listeria and unrelated Gram positive and Gram negative species con®rms that this procedure is an alternative PCR protocol for detection of L. monocytogenes. Ó