Molecular Epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes by Ribotyping

Ten Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from clinical specimens and mussels, and their physio-biochemical characters were compared with the type strains. Ribotyping was used as a taxonomic tool to determine molecular epidemiological marker. Chromosomal DNA was cleaved with restriction enzymes HindIII and EcoRI. The fragment were subjected to Southern blot hybridization with 165 rDNA from B. subtilis by PCR. EcoRI patterns of Listeria strains showed 6 to 8 bands ranging from 0.75 kb to 11 kb band and they were classified into 6 groups. In comparison, HindIII patterns revealed that 5 to 7 bands ranging from 2.75 kb to 7.75 kb band and they classified into 5 groups. The various patterns of Listeria strains were observed within genus, species and isolated sources. 165 rRNA gene restriction patterns (ribotyping) are useful in epidemiological and taxonomic study.