1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anand, Gujarat, India
2Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairy Science, RCSM College of Agriculture, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
*Corresponding author: MM Yadav; E-mail: drmahendrayadav@rediffmail.com
Online Published on 21 September, 2022.
The purpose of this study was to assess slime production and quantification of biofilm in a set of well-characterized Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from healthy and clinically affected animal. In all 28 strains of L. monocytogenes belonging to serotype 4b having proved in vitro pathogenicity potential is included in the study. Slime production was determined by cultivation of the organisms on Congo red agar medium, while quantification of biofilm was performed with the help of microtitre plate assay. Out of 28 isolates, 22 (78.57 %) strains of L. monocytogenes produced slime. The rest of the 6 (21.43 %) isolates were negative for slime production. For biofilm production, out of the 28 strains, 5 (17.86 %), 18 (64.29 %), and 5 (17.86 %) were found moderate, weak and negative, respectively. Strains belonging to Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b showed inconsistent results regarding biofilm production. Biofilm productivity exhibited profound intra-strain variations irrespective of source of isolation. As L. monocytogenes are biofilm producers, this increases the probability of occurrence of animal and human infection. Further, as L. monocytogenes produces biofilm, infections caused by this bacterium may be underestimated because diagnoses in the presence of biofilm are difficult.
• Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b produces slime that may increase the occurrence of animal and human infections.
• Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b showed inconsistency in biofilm production.
Animals, Listeria monocytogenes, Biofilm
