Observation of a new pattern in serogroup-related PCR typing of Listeria monocytogenes 4b isolates.

Molecular serogroup-related PCR typing has made the determination of serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes isolates easy and rapid. Amplification of selected lineage- and serotype-related genes can produce serotype patterns reflecting the four major serotypes, 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b. We found that four isolates in our routine testing had a pattern with the four bands lmo0737, ORF2110, ORF2819, and prs positive, a pattern which has not been previously reported in the literature. After testing with a lineage-specific PCR, hybridization, and conventional agglutination serotyping, the isolates with the new pattern were considered to be serotype 4b.