Listeria ssp. in beef carpaccio and resistance profile to antimicrobial agents

The present study was conducted to verify the occurrence of Listeria spp. in 50 samples of beef carpaccio sold in bars and restaurants; and to evaluate the resistance profile to antimicrobial agents used in the routine treatment of infections. It was found that 20% of samples from restaurants and 35% from bars were contaminated with Listeria spp. Among the species, L. welshimeri was most frequently isolated (81.82%), followed by L. grayi, (13.66%) and L. monocytogenes(4.55%). The Oxford agar plating medium was the most efficient. The resistant behavior occurred to all antimicrobial agents tested, except tetracycline, to which 95.5% of the strains were sensitive. Multidrug resistance was observed in 68.75% of the strains analyzed. Thus, it is concluded that the consumption of beef carpaccio represents a potential risk, and a serious public health problem, especially due to the confirmation of pathogenic strains that are resistant to major antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of listeriosis.