FIRST STAGE OF THE RESEARCH OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN FOODS ANALYSED AT PASTEUR INSTITUTE OF HOCHIMINH CITY

Pham Minh Thu, Phan Thu Dong, Truong Xuan Lien

The Listeria monocytogenes contaminated foods are the cause of Listeriosis which is a severe disease charracterized by abortion, meningitis and septicaemia, mainly diagnosed in people with impaired immunity (pregnant women, neonates, the elderly and immunocompromised patients). The case-fatality rate is high (20 - 30% of cases).

Listeriosis is present in developed countries (Europe, USA, Brazil, Canada, Japan). The infection is originated from contaminated foods (such as salad, milk, cheese, chocolate...)

In Vietnam listeriosis and Listeria monocytogenes seem unknown and our knowledge is not sufficient to carry out a research on this disease. It is necessary to study Listeria monocytogenes in many different foods to control the alimentary hygiene and to follow up the affects of Listeriosis in our country. The results are as follows:

Results

215 samples were submitted for analysis.

N^o	Kind of food	No. of sample	Strains	Contamination
				N	%
1	Frozen seafood	80	L.monocytogeønes L. seeligeri L. welchimeri L innocua	1 2 3 2	1.25% 2.50% 3.73% 2.50%
2	Milk and milk products	64	L innocua	2	3,10%
3	Vegetables	20	Neg	0	0
4	Meat and products of meat	20	L. welchimeri	1	5,00%
5	Processed foods	31	L.monocytogenes L.innocua	1 1	3,22% 3.22%

Two of the samples were contaminated by L.monocytogeønes (0.93%). These bacteria were found in the frozen seafood products and the processed food products

The first stage of this study shows that L.monocytogenes have been present in the analysed foods in HoChiMinh City. Therefore the surveillance of food safety and hygiene is very necessary to prevent the food-borne listeriosis.