LISTERIA SPECIES IN DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENTS

Using a direct isolation method Listeria spp. were detected in 101 (47 .4%) of 213 houses investigated. L. monocytogenes was present in 45 ho uses (21.1%). Listeria spp. occurred at all sampling sites. Dish-cloth s (37%) and surface samples round the drain in the bathroom (27.2%) we re most frequently contaminated. Highest numbers (c. 10(4) c.f.u./obje ct) were found in dish-cloths and washing-up brushes. Lower levels (up to 10(3) c.f.u./object) were obtained from kitchen sinks, refrigerato r vegetable compartment samples and tooth brushes. In total, 132 isola tions of Listeria spp. were made from 871 samples. L. innocua (53%) an d L. monocytogenes (41%) were the predominant species in the positive samples. Other Listeria spp. were found in only 6% of the positive sam ples.