The genus Listeria includes facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. L. ivanovii and L. monocytogenes from this genus are known as pathogenic species and have shown the ability to cause severe diseases in animals and both humans and animals, respectively. Listeriosis is a foodborne infection with high mortality rates which is caused by L. monocytogenes in humans. The pathogen is ubiquitous and has been isolated from animals, different types of foods, and environments worldwide [1]–[3].
There is a high possibility of L. monocytogenes contamination in the captured fish from contaminated waters and environments. The contamination could also happen during transportation and in the environment of fish markets. Although L. monocytogenes has been isolated from seafood, fish and fishery products, no major listeriosis outbreaks with these products has been reported so far [4]. However, contaminated fish and fish products are considered as the most frequent causes of a number of sporadic listeriosis cases [5].