Same-day identification scheme for colonies of Listeria monocytogenes

A diagnostic scheme is described for the same-day identification of food-borne cells of Listeria monocytogenes that emerge in 40 h at 30 degrees C as large colonies, representatives of which are used to advantage as heavy inocula on agar plates for the rapid determination of hemolytic activity and acidification of rhamnose and xylose. Additional tests consisting of phase-contrast microscopy for cell morphology and motility, the catalase production test, and the KOH viscosity test in place of Gram staining complete the rapid identification scheme.