Random amplification of polymorphic DNA typing of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from meat.

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from imported or domestic meats, L. monocytogenes was isolated and identified through biochemical and serological tests, and epidemiological analysis of the isolates was carried out through the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Fifty-four isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes through biochemical tests, of which 36 (67%) were confirmed as serotype 1, and 18 (33%) were serotype 4, through the microagglutination test. In the molecular epidemiological analysis using RAPD method, the isolates could be classified into 10, 6 and 6 types using three random primers, PB1, PB4, and HLWL74, respectively. Forty composite profiles were identified by a combination of the three primers. RAPD analysis demonstrated the relationships between the isolates from beef from Korea and the USA, pork from Korea and Denmark. These results suggested that RAPD could be a useful typing tool for the epidemiological study of L. monocytogenes and other bacteria.