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Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium responsible for the majority of cases of human listeriosis, a foodborne infection that, in certain groups in the population (children, elderly, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals), exhibits a high fatality rate (of up to 30%), and the need for hospital admission in more than 90% of cases. An awareness of the minimal concentrations for disinfectants and antibiotics necessary to destroy L. monocytogenes, may assist with choosing the most effective antimicrobials for controlling this microorganism, whether in the food industry or in the health system. The lethal concentrations of three disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride, and peracetic acid) and eight antibiotics (ampicillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and fosfomycin) for eight different strains of L. monocytogenes were determined in this research work. It was demonstrated that the lethal concentrations for the disinfectants tested were much lower than the concentrations customarily used of these compounds. The characteristics of the cell surface play an important role in the tolerance of L. monocytogenes to these biocides. A considerable prevalence of resistance to most of the antibiotics tested was noted, making it clear that the necessary measures to control resistance in L. monocytogenes must be adopted.

When selecting effective doses of antimicrobials, be they biocides or antibiotics, it is essential to know the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs …