Development of multiplex PCR assay for rapid detection Listeria monocytogenes in clinical samples

Listeria monocytogenes is widely present in the natural environment. This bacteria can cause infections in both humans and animals. In humans, the most vulnerable groups to be infected with L. monocytogenes are the elderly, people with an impaired immune system and chronically illness, pregnant women, and newborn babies. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR assay for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes in mock clinical samples. A pair of primers were designed for detection of L. monocytogenes based on prs, a Listeria genus specific gene, and hly, a hemolysin gene. The specificity of the primers were tested by using different L. monocytogenes strains and other common pathogenic bacteria. The results showed that L. monocytogenes strains were positive in the detection and other tested strains were negative in mock (spiked) clinical samples. The sensitivity of multiplex PCR assay was 102 CFU/ml per reaction. The specificity and sensitivity of multiplex PCR technology for detecting L. monocytogenes in mock (spiked) clinical samples were high, and the assay could be completed within 1.5 hours. Therefore, this established multiplex PCR provides a rapid and reliable method and will be useful for the detection of L. monocytogenes in mock clinical samples.