Short Communication

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked fish in Sokoto, Nigeria

M. D. Salihu¹*, A. U. Junaidu¹, S. B. Manga², M. L. Gulumbe¹, A. A. Magaji¹, A. Ahmed³, A. Y. Adamu⁴, A. Shittu¹ and I. Balarabe¹

¹Veterinary Public Health Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

³Zonal Veterinary Investigation Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria.

⁴Medicine and Surgery Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mdsal70@yahoo.com.

Accepted 23 April, 2008

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked fish in Sokoto, Nigeria. A total of 115 different species of smoked fish from the various retail outlets and market places within the metropolis were analysed for the presence of L. monocytogenes using ISO culture method. Out of the 115 samples analysed, 29 (25%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Other Listeria species isolated in this study are L. grayi 13 (11%), L. innocua 10 (9%) and L. ivanovi 15 (13%). The remaining 48 (42%) of the sample were negative for Listeria species. The study shows that L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species are common contaminant of smoked fish, and this may pose serious public health implications.

Key words: Smoked fish, Listeria monocytogenes, contamination, public health.