A nested PCR method to detect Listeria monocytogenes in artificially contaminated blood specimens.

A nested PCR-based test was developed for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in blood specimens from patients with listeriosis. Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify a 1395-bp and a 453-bp fragment of the iap gene of L. monocytogenes. Amplified products were analysed with gel electrophoresis and stained with ethidium bromide. The PCR method described could be routinely used to diagnose listeriosis.