Bacteriological monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from raw materials and products of animal origin in Ukraine (2016-2022)

Authors: Tamara Kozytska, Tetiana Garkavenko, Oksana Boiko, Irina Musies, Vitalii Ukhovskyi, Valentina Andriuchak, and Vitalii Nedosekov

Ger. J. Microbiol. 2025. vol. 5, Iss. 2 pp:33-44
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjm.2025.2.0052

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Abstract:

Listeriosis is a rare but severe foodborne infection caused by the consumption of contaminated food. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and older adults, leading to serious clinical manifestations and a high mortality rate. Numerous outbreaks have been reported worldwide, including in Ukraine. Between 2016 and 2022, the State Food and Consumer Service of Ukraine received 414 strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods and food products of animal origin, resulting in an overall occurrence rate of 0.17% over the seven years. The highest number of positive results was reported by the official laboratories in Kyiv (n=254, 0.48%), followed by Lviv (n=67, 0.28%) and Dnipro (n=64, 0.56%). The most examined samples came from ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products, totaling 114,406, with an average occurrence of 14.3 per year; followed by raw milk and dairy products at 48,155, which had no positive samples; fish and fish products at 28,561 with an average occurrence of 4,080 per year; poultry meat at 20,698 with an average occurrence of 5.6 per year; pork meat at 17,8103 with an average occurrence of 16.0 per year; and beef meat at 11,536 with an average occurrence of 15.1 per year. Several isolates from meat products, pork, and fish exhibited reduced sensitivity or resistance to meropenem and benzylpenicillin. The presence of resistant Listeria monocytogenes isolates in ready-to-eat foods poses a significant risk to human health. Further investigation of isolates from various One-Health sectors across different regions of Ukraine, utilizing nextgeneration sequencing technology and resistance profiling tools, is essential to evaluate the dynamics of resistance, trace the sources of outbreaks, and enhance preparedness.

Keywords:

Listeria monocytogenes, Food products, AMR, Ukraine

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