A Survey on the Sanitary Condition and Prevalence of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> in Commercial Refrigerators in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Background: Listeria monocytogenes can grow in a variety of foods that are stored refrigerators. This bacterium adhere to various surfaces and form biofilms. Given refrigerator temperature support bacterial growth proliferation, increasing the number bacteria spaces endangers consumer’s health. Objective: The purpose this study was investigate prevalence L. sanitary conditions commercial refrigerators used food supply centers Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. Materials Methods: Overall, 204 swap samples were collected from inner industrial five different zones. enriched enrichment broth cultured on PALCAM agar plates. Suspected colonies identified by biochemical tests polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, condition refrigerator, method duration cleaning, last washing date, type applied detergent recorded, antibacterial susceptibility isolates tested as well. Results: results demonstrated four (1.96%) located Ahvaz (center) Ramhormoz (east) contaminated with monocytogenes. internal temperatures 67% above 5 °C, most operators mixture water dishwasher or alone clean their In addition, 31.9% an unfavorable cleaning condition, 32.8% not sealed properly. resistant streptomycin represented intermediate resistance tetracycline penicillin. Conclusion: contamination antibiotic-resistant may pose threat public Authorities should increase monitoring provide necessary training for users.