Research Article
Alaa Eldin MAM, Darwish WS, El
Abstract
Rabbit meat is a rich source of protein with low fat and cholesterol contents making it a healthy meat source. Listeria monocytogenes is one of foodborne pathogens that can cause a serious disease named listeriosis in humans. This study firstly investigated the prevalence of Listeria spp., particularly Listeria monocytogenes in rabbit meat and offal. Secondly, the expression of virulence associated genes and the antibiogram of the identified Listeria monocytogenes were further examined. The achieved results revealed that Listeria spp. was isolated from rabbit thigh muscles, shoulder muscles, loin, liver and kidneys at 25%, 15%, 10%, 15% and 5%, respectively. Five Listeria spp. namely, L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, L. innocua, L. welshimeri and L. seeligeri were serologically identified. Multidrug pathogenic L. monocytogenes was particularly isolated from thigh muscles and loin only at 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. L. monocytogenes isolates showed a complete resistance (100%) to both of kanamycin and neomycin.