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The diversity of Listeria monocytogenes strains from 10 Icelandic sheep farms
Author(s) -
Gudmundsdottir K.B.,
Aalbæk B.,
Sigurdarson S.,
Gunnarsson E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02183.x
Subject(s) - listeria monocytogenes , ribotyping , biology , serotype , genotype , pulsed field gel electrophoresis , icelandic , veterinary medicine , strain (injury) , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , gene , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , anatomy
Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the diversity of Listeria monocytogenes strains from healthy sheep, winter feed and environment of sheep farms in Iceland. Methods and Results: A total of 104 L. monocytogenes isolates from animals, winter feed and environment on 10 Icelandic sheep farms were compared by serotyping, ribotyping, and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis with Apa I and Asc I. The isolates were divided into 24 genotypes, all identified as serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, or 4b. Nine genotypes were detected on more than one farm. On three of the farms there seemed to be a dominant strain of L. monocytogenes . Isolates from incidents of listeriosis in animals occurring on two of the farms belonged to the genotype most commonly found on the particular farm. Nine of the 24 genotypes found on the sheep farms have been associated with disease in animals and/or humans elsewhere in Iceland. Conclusions: Certain strains of L. monocytogenes seem to be widely distributed on Icelandic sheep farms. On some farms there appears to be a dominant strain of L. monocytogenes . Incidents of listeriosis in animals may tend to be associated with strains commonly found on the farm. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrates the diversity of L. monocytogenes present in healthy sheep and their environment.