OCCURRENCE OF LISTERIA SPP. AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROFILES OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES FROM RAW MEAT AT RETAIL IN TURKEY

A total of 190 raw meat samples were collected in Ankara to examine the presence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes and its antibiotic resistance. Of the examined samples, 57 were positive for Listeria spp. and among them, 23 were identified as L. monocytogenes. Among L. monocytogenes strains, 86.96% of isolates were positive for the presence of the hlyA gene. All L. monocytogenes strains were resistant to ampicillin, fosfomycin, nalidixic acid, linezolid, and clindamycin. Multi-drug resistance was observed in 73.91% L. monocytogenes strains. In conclusion, the presence of L. monocytogenes in raw meat may be indicative of poor hygiene or cross-contamination.