Distribution of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes isolated from foods, Colombia, 2000-2009 Distribución de serotipos de Listeria monocytogenes aislados de alimentos, Colombia, 2000-2009

Introduction. Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular, opportunistic pathogen which can cause severe infections such as meningitis, encephalitis and bacteremia, and also abortions in human beings. Foods are the vehicle for infection of the host.Serotypification has discriminated thirteen serotypes: 1/2a,1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4ab, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 7. 4b is the cause of the majority of cases of listeriosis in the world.Objective. To determine the frequency of serotypes of L. monocytogenes isolated from foods during 2000-2009 in Colombia. Materials and methods. The study is descriptive and retrospective. 1599 isolates were studied, all of which were confirmed as Listeria monocytogenes and other strains of Listeria, using biochemical tests recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (USA) and API Listeria, and serotyped using the Seeliger and H hne method. Results. Of the 1,599 isolates, 1,424 were confirmed as L. monocytogenes. Serotypes identified were: 1/2a, 135 (9,5%); 1/2b, 154 (10,8%); 1/2c, 68 (4,8%); 3a, 4 (0,3%); 3b, 29 (2,0%); 3c, 2 (0,1%); 4a, 44 (3,1%); 4b, 820 (57,6%); 4c, 6 (0,4%); 4d- 4e, 140 (9,8%); 4e, 17 (1,2%); 7, 2 (0,1%); not susceptible of serotypification, three cases, (0,2%). Isolates came mainly from the Capital District of Bogotá, 1035 (73%); Antioquia 199 (14%), Nari o, 109 (8%); Valle del Cauca 50 (3,5%) and from other departments 33 (2,3%).Conclusion. At the analyzed isolates, 1,424 (89%) belonged to L. monocytogenes, showing a good quality in isolations and identification, most of this isolates belonged to serotype 4b, 820 (57,6%), highly virulent.It is recommended the obligatory surveillance of this microorganism. Introducción. La Listeria monocytogenes es un patógeno, facultativo intracelular, oportunista, causante de graves infecciones en humanos como meningitis, encefalitis y bacteremias; también es causa de abortos. Los alimentos actúan como medio de transporte para infectar al huésped.La serotipificación ha discriminado trece serotipos: 1/2a,1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4ab, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 7. El 4b es causante de la mayoría de listeriosis en el mundo.Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de los serotipos de L. monocytogenes aislados de alimentos, durante los a os 2000-2009, en Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Se analizaron 1.599 aislamientos, los cuales fueron confirmados como Listeria monocytogenes y otras especies de Listeria, con pruebas bioquímicas recomendadas por la Food Drug Administration (USA) y API Listeria, y serotipificadas con la metodología de Seeliger and H hne.Re