Determination of Prevalence and In-vitro Pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes in Sheep and Goats Reared by Nomads of Jammu Region of J&K

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the in-vitro pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes in sheep and goats reared by nomads of Jammu region of J&K, in addition to biochemical characterization of isolates. A total of 125 samples comprising of sheep and goat faecal samples and their rectal swabs were collected. Isolation of Listeria species involved the enrichment of the samples followed by plating on selective culture media and identification of the organism. Out of 125 samples collected, 32 (25.6%) samples were found positive for Listeria species. Out of these 13 (10.4%) were identified as L. monocytogenes and 19 (15.2%) were the other Listeria species. All the biochemically confirmed Listeria monocytogenes (n=13) isolates were hemolytic and CAMP positive but out of 13 Listeria monocytogenes isolates only 10 isolates were positive for PI-PLC assay. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed sensitivity towards Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Livofloxacin (100%), Enrofloxacin (76.92%) and Erythromycin (69.23). From this study we can conclude that sheep and goats of nomads harbour the Listeria species in their gastrointestinal tract. Under such conditions there is every apprehension that the handlers associated with such animals can contract listeriosis, which inturn may lead to an outbreak. So, the need of an hour is to impart the education of proper hygienic practices in public in general and the animal handlers in particular.