Detection and identification of Listeria monocytogenes from milk and cheese by a single-step PCR.

Primers of iap gene were used as a target to develop a PCR technique for detecting Listeria monocytogenes in milk and cheese. The PCR technique gives good results in the detection of Listeria monocytogenes either in artificially or naturally contaminated foodstuffs and has a high sensitivity and specificity. Application of this rapid diagnostic tool could provide further information about the spread of L. monocytogenes in milk and cheese.