Listeria species in retail smoked fish at Jos, Nigeria

The prevalence of Listeria species in 65 samples of smoked fish at the retail markets in Jos, Nigeria, is reported. The experimental samples which included 30 catfish (Clarias species) and 35 Tilapia were screened for Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species using a two-step enrichment method. Total Listeria species demonstrated were 14(21.5%), out of which 6(9.2%) were Listeria monocytogenes . There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) between the prevalence rates of L. monocytogenes in the catfish (13.3%) and Tilapia (5.7%). The prevalence rates at Bukuru, K-Vom and Vwang retail markets were 6.9%, 5.6% and 16.7% respectively for L. monocytogenes , and 13.8%, 11.1% and 11.1% respectively for other Listeria species. These rates were not significantly different across the different sites (p>0.05). This study yields valuable baseline information on the prevalence of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species in cold-smoked fish in Nigeria. Continual surveillance for possible fish-borne listeriosis and other foodborne diseases in the area is recommended. Keywords Listeria species, foodborne disease, smoked fish, retail market, Nigeria > Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 231-234