The purpose of the present study was to compare the pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from human clinical cases and various foods of animal origin (mutton, fish and cheese). The isolates were tested by various in-vitro and in-vivo pathogenicity tests like hemolysis in 5% sheep blood agar plates, CAMP test, development of kerato-conjunctivits and monocytosis in healthy rabbits. L. monocytogenes recovered from human clinical cases produced more prominent narrow zone of beta-hemolysis on blood agar plates compared to the food isolates. The development of kerato-conjunctivits and monocytosis were marked in rabbits with human isolates than those of food isolates confirming the increased pathogenicity of the isolates recovered from humans as compared to the food isolates.
Pathogenicity, Listeria monocytogenes, Monocytosis, Kerato-conjunctivits
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