Prevalence, Risk Factors and Public Health Implication of Listeria Monocytogenes in Ready to Eat Camel Meat (Camelus dromedaries) in Tambool Area- Sudan

Abstract

Listeriosis is one of the important food-borne bacterial zoonotic diseases caused by Listeria monocytogenes, as a result of food and environmental contamination as well as zoonotic infections. This disease is becoming an emerging bacterial disease, with low incidence but high case fatality rate. The present study was undertaken to determine the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in raw camel meat of Tambool Town market and abattoir. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2017 to isolate Listeria monocytogenes from swab samples from camel meat from abattoir, butcher shops equipments. A total of 865 swab samples comprising of 380 from the abattoir, 380 from butcher shops were collected using systematic random sampling technique and 105 swabs were collected from equipments. Questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the hygienic practices of meat production in raw meat of market and abattoir and possible risk factors regarding the contamination of meat. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated and identified using standard bacteriological techniques. The overall prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes identified was 5.5%, and 6.6%, 2.6% and 7.6% from abattoir, butcher shops and equipments respectively. In addition, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes attributed to unclean working environment and improper handling of meat till it reaches to the consumer. Preventive measures to avoid the presence of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes in raw meat and meat products should be undertaken, emphasizing the need for improved hygienic practices during meat production and also during distribution and consumption of the final products.