Comparison of PCR and culture methods for detecting of Listeria monocytogenes in vaginal samples

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic intracellular pathogen that has become an important cause of human food borne infections worldwide. The aim of this study is the determinate sensitivity of diagnostic methods of this organism and achieving a test that can detect Listeria monocytogenes in all circumstances in clinical samples. Materials and Methods: In this study 88 vaginal swabs were collected from women with age of (15-45) referred to gynecologic clinics in the hospital (Sari, Iran). Vaginal swabs were examined by culture on specific PALKAM agar medium and PCR technique by specific primers. Results: Out of 88 studied vaginal swabs, 8 cases with culture method and 27 cases were positive with PCR technique. The sensitivity of PCR and culture is reported %100, %29 respectively. Conclusion: The results show that PCR is a more sensitive, easier, and faster method in comparison to in clinical samples.