Species: Bovine, ovine and other ruminants

Specimen: Fetal stomach contents in abortion cases. In other diseases, take fresh tissues/fluid from affected areas.

Container: Sterile container

Collection protocol: Aspirate fetal stomach contents or other fluids. Excise tissue or lesion.

Special handling/shipping requirements: Samples be transported and stored chilled. Do not freeze samples.

General information about the disease: Listeria monocytogenes and L. ivanovii are both pathogenic for animals but L. monocytogenes is more significant causing  multiple disease conditions including septicaemia, abortion, mastitis, CNS infections and diarrhoea outbreak resembling salmonellosis in ruminants. L. monocytogenes can infect humans and is of public health significance. L. ivanovii can cause abortions but not diarrhoea in sheep.

Comparison with other related tests: Listeria is readily cultured but PCR can provide rapid specific detection.