Primers for the iap gene were used to develop and optimise a PCR technique for detecting Listeria monocytogenes in meat. The use of these primers gave good results in the detection of L monocytogenes in either artificially or naturally contaminated foodstuffs. The lowest sensitivity limit achieved with PCR was 101-102 cells ml-1 or g-1 product, either in pure cultures or in artificially and naturally contaminated meat. The PCR method devised has high sensitivity and specificity. It appears to give good results and is very easy and fast to perform, requiring only 30 h to detect Listeria from meat, whereas, conventional methods require almost 96-120 h.
