MOLECULAR ECOLOGY OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN THE TURKEY PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Determine prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter spp. in turkey processing plants and raw products. Use strain subtyping to evaluate the clonal structure of the bacterial enteropathogen populations in turkeys and compare this to global populations. Characterize of biofilm forming potential of the bacteria. Screen for virulence potential of prevalent and resident strains using human vascular endothelial cell cultures. Evaluate the ability of select strains to be transferred to foods from food contact surfaces, and to persist and grow (L. monocytogenes) at refrigeration temperatures.