Immunofluorescent identification of Listeria monocytogenes

A fluorescent antibody technique for the rapid diagnosis and identification of L. monocytogenes in smears, impression smears from tissues of animals dead from listeriosis, and in meat and milk is described. The technique could well be exploited for detecting L. monocytogenes in meat and meat products, animal tissues, and in milk provided that it is supplemented with adequate controls. The technique has been compared with conventional cultural technique and found to be superior as far as the time factor is concerned. The use of the technique also demonstrates the possibility of actually determining the serological type concurrently.