Differentiation of the major listeria monocytogenes serovars by multiplex PCR

A new multiplex PCR assay was developed to separate the four major Listeria monocytogenes serovars isolated from food and patients (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b) into distinct groups. The PCR test, which constitutes a rapid and practical alternative to laborious classical serotyping, was successfully evaluated with 222 Listeria strains. Laboratoire des Listeria-Centre National de Référence des Listeria-World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Foodborne Listeriosis,Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr. Roux,75724 Paris Cedex 15,France.