The use of multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeats analysis to study the presence of closely related variants of Listeria monocytogenes in blood from patients with listeriosis.

Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) will be used to study the presence of closely related variants of Listeria monocytogenes in blood from patients with invasive listeriosis. MLVA will initially be used in an attempt to confirm the presence of closely related variants previously identified with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
Confirmation is needed, as no. of PFGE band differences required for discriminating between different strains is contentious.. Knowledge about closely related variants is of importance for strategies preventing food-borne infections.