Viability of Listeria monocytogenes Strain Brie-1 in the Avian Egg

Abstract
The viability of Listeria monocytogenes strain Brie-1 was studied in raw and heat-treated (121°C, 15 min) whole eggs, albumen, or yolks during storage at 5 and 20°C. Studies with raw eggs showed that the organism grew only in egg yolks, where initial numbers (106 cells/g) increased to 108 cells/g (generation times of 1.7 d and 2.4 h at 5 and 20°C, respectively). Cell numbers in whole eggs initially declined and then leveled off. A sharp decline in cell numbers was observed in the raw albumen (to 102 cells/g after 22 d at 5°C and to 4, 103, and L. monocytogenes, and hence can serve as vehicle of transmission of listeriosis.