Evaluation of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii infection in cage birds in Yazd, Iran by polymerase chain reaction

Background:

Most birds probably can carry Listeria spp. asymptomatically in their intestines with varying prevalence and can transmit the pathogens to humans. The genus-Listeria has two pathogenic species namely, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii. Of these, L. monocytogenes is a well-known cause of abortion, encephalitis and septicaemia in man and animals. Listeria ivanovii is an animal pathogen and in rare cases cause human infection. Hence, a study was conducted to determine the occurrence of pathogenic Listeria monpcytogenes and Listeria ivanovii in cage birds faeces from Yazd.

Material and methods:

Altogether 180 (150 canaries and 30 lovebirds) samples of bird faeces were collected with sterile cotton swabs from different areas of Yazd, Iran. Swabs were placed directly into Listeria enrichment broth. Secondly enrichments were streaked on Palcam agar. Then evaluated to detect Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Results:

Considering although overall prevalence of Listeria species in canaries were 4% (6 out of 150), no L. monocytogenes and no L. ivanovii found in our study.

Background:

Most birds probably can carry Listeria spp. asymptomatically in their intestines with varying prevalence and can transmit the pathogens to humans. The genus-Listeria has two pathogenic species namely, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii. Of these, L. monocytogenes is a well-known cause of abortion, encephalitis and septicaemia in man and animals. Listeria ivanovii is an animal pathogen and in rare cases cause human infection. Hence, a study was conducted to determine the occurrence of pathogenic Listeria monpcytogenes and Listeria ivanovii in cage birds faeces from Yazd.

Material and methods:

Altogether 180 (150 canaries and 30 lovebirds) samples of bird faeces were collected with sterile cotton swabs from different areas of Yazd, Iran. Swabs were placed directly into Listeria enrichment broth. Secondly enrichments were streaked on Palcam agar. Then evaluated to detect Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Results:

Considering although overall prevalence of Listeria species in canaries were 4% (6 out of 150), no L. monocytogenes and no L. ivanovii found in our study.