EMERGING INFECTION OF LISTERIA SPECIES FROM ORGANICALLY GROWN FOOD CROPS AND POTENTIALITIES FOR MISDIAGNOSIS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CALLS FOR A POLYPHASIC APPROACH TO DETECTION

Listeria infection from the consumption of fruits and vegetables has become a significant public health problem, especially in developing countries. Overall, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes can be as high as 61.1% in a typical ready-to-eat fresh produce system. Poorly treated organic fertiliser application will affect the microbiological quality of the product and, in turn, consumer health. The risk of misdiagnosing Listeria bacteria in food samples is very high because resources for detection and diagnosis in these facilities are limited. Traditional detection methods may be insufficient for identifying Listeria, leading to inaccurate diagnoses and delayed treatment. A multi-phase detection approach, combining microbiological, molecular and biochemical techniques, is essential for accurate and rapid detection of Listeria. This approach could improve the identification of Listeria in food samples, leading to more effective prevention and control measures. Policymakers, public health officials, and food industry stakeholders must work together to implement these strategies and prevent the spread of Listeria from fruits and vegetables. This review highlights some concepts on Listeria infection and the importance of a multiphasic approach to Listeria detection. It also calls for increased efforts to combat emerging Listeria infections from fruit and vegetables, especially in developing countries.