Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy products in Turkey: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study was aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the seroprevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy products in Turkey. A systematic literature search was conducted using the Medline/PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies reporting the seroprevalence of L. monocytogenes in dairy products. The search was conducted using the following keywords: (“ice cream” or “curd” or “cream” or “cheese” or “butter” or “yoğurt” or “dairy” or “milk”) and (“Listeriosis” or “Listeria monocytogenes” or “Listeria”) and (“Turkiye” or “Turkey”) and (“seropositivity” or “seroprevalence” or “prevalence”). A comprehensive meta-analysis included a total of 4766 dairy products from the 27 studies. The overall molecular prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy products in Turkey was estimated to be 7.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7-10.7%). The I2 value of 93.5% (CI95%91.6–95.0) suggested high heterogeneity, with a τ2 of 3.4422 (CI95%-1.7091–8.5936), and an X2 statistic of 399.2 (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, this meta-analysis reveals a significant seroprevalence of L. monocytogenes in dairy products in Turkey. The findings highlight the need for improved control measures to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure consumer safety. By implementing rigorous hygiene practices, enhancing monitoring systems, and promoting collaborative efforts between industry and regulatory bodies, the dairy sector in Turkey can effectively mitigate the risks associated with L. monocytogenes and maintain high standards of food safety.