Developing methods for detecting virulence and chemical resistance-related genes of Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen capable of surviving several commonly used chemical purifying agents, like quaternary ammonium compound-based ones. It provides a challenge for food processing facilities dealing with the L.monocytogenes infestation. This thesis provides the theoretical approach to detecting L.monocytogenes pathogenicity and chemical tolerance by detecting the genes most often implicated in virulence and chemical resistance through the use of PCR primers. It offers a literature overview of previously discovered information about Listeria and its pathogenicity and chemical tolerance factors and suggests an experiment plan for PCR primer design.