Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples in Avezzano, Sulmona and Castel di Sangro (province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy) between 2000-2009

The retrospective study of the results of the analysed samples is a fundamental tool for the identification of major risk related to food and for planning future monitoring activities. The evaluation of the quality of data collected may also allow for estimating the effectiveness of the controls so to improve their efficacy. In this article, the authors evaluated the results of tests for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes performed by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (IZSAM) on food samples collected during the years 2000-2009 in the territory of Avezzano, Sulmona and Castel di Sangro (province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy). The comparison of the data examined with those from studies conducted in Italy and in other countries shows that the categories with higher percentages of positivity for Listeria monocytogenes are meat and fish products. Data collected do not indicate cheese as a vehicle of contamination in the sampled areas, in contrast to what reported in the national and international literature. It would therefore be necessary to promote an ad hoc sampling in the areas covered by this study to verify this aspect in more depth

Co-Infection of L. monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii in a Sheep Flock Causing Abortion and Lamb Deaths

Abortion in livestock is a public health burden, and the cause of economic losses for farmers. Abortion can be multifactorial, and a deep diagnostic investigation is important to reduce the spread of zoonotic disease and public health prevention. In our study, a multidisciplinary investigation was conducted to address the cause of increased abortion and lamb mortality on a farm, which detected a co-infection of Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Hence, it was possible to conclude that this was the reason for a reduced flock health status and the cause of an increased abortion rate. Furthermore, the investigation work and identification of the L. monocytogenes infection root allowed the reduction of economic loss