[Diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes by immunofluorescence]

For precision of bacteriological diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes (L. m.) the immune fluorescent technique (IFT) was assessed. On using the described immunization pattern high titres of specific antibodies were obtained from the immunized rabbits. The obtained hyperimmune sera yielded very good results when used in IFT, and they were suitable for conjugate production. By means of IFT L.M. was demonstrated from cultures, organ replicas and tissue sections of experimentally infected rabbits. The most brilliant fluorescence was achieved with conjugate of the corresponding serotype, the polytype conjugate yielded demonstrable fluorescence with all serotypes. Listerias showed intensive fluorescence, and in contrast staining of replicas and tissue sections with Evans blue they could be well differentiated from the background.