Prevalence and molecular characterization of Listeria spp in raw milk samples in Mhow and Indore region of Madhya Pradesh

Total 50 raw milk samples were screened for Listeria spp. contamination. The biochemically confirmed cultures were further examined for in vitro pathogenicity test and molecular characterization. Listeria spp. were obtained in 4 (8%) samples, two isolates were confirmed as L. welshimeri (50%) and two as L. ivanovii (50%). Only 2% of milk sample found to possess putative phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) gene. Out of the two species of Listeria found in milk, only one species i.e. L. ivanovii was found to be hemolytic on sheep blood agar.