Listeriaspecies in domestic environments

Abstract

SummaryUsing a direct isolation methodListeriaspp. were detected in 101 (47·4%) of 213 houses investigated.L. monocytogeneswas present in 45 houses (21·1%).Listeriaspp. occurred at all sampling sites. Dish-cloths (37%) and surface samples round the drain in the bathroom (27·2%) were most frequently contaminated. Highest numbers (c. 104c.f.u./object) were found in dish-cloths and washing-up brushes. Lower levels (up to 103c.f.u./object) were obtained from kitchen sinks, refrigerator vegetable compartment samples and tooth brushes. In total, 132 isolations ofListeriaspp. were made from 871 samples.L. innocua(53%) andL. monocytogenes(41%) were the predominant species in the positive samples. OtherListeriaspp. were found in only 6% of the positive samples.