Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the molecular diversity of L. monocytogenes isolated from environments and ready to eat of a poultry meat processing plant.
Methods: Seventy isolates of L. monocytogenes obtained from environments (26) and products (44) coming from the low risk areas (LR), before cooking and high risk (HR) after cooking were assessed. The isolates were analyzed by DIVERSILAB ® (bioMérieux) to compare the genetic profile.
Results: Of the 70 isolates, 18 were from the LR environment and resulted in 10 distinct genetic profiles. The eight isolated from HR environment resulted in four different profiles. In products, the 41 isolates coming from samples analyzed before cooking resulted in the formation of fifteen distinct profiles and the three isolates from samples generated after cooking, two different profiles. No similar genetic profiles were found of L. monocytogenes isolated from the environment and the ones isolated from product, nor between those found in the LR area against those obtained in the HR area.
Significance: The results show that despite L. monocytogenes having been found in products and in the environment of the high risk area there is no passing of bacteria from the LR area to the HR, showing the effectiveness of sanitary barrier as well the cooking process.