RESUMO
From a total of 445 individuals, 17.1 per cent had antibodies against L. monocytogenes detected by the agglutination tube test. They were separated in seven groups: bloods donnors (n = 50), Hospital visitors (n = 40), frigorific workers (n = 28), aviculture workers (n = 87), herdsman (n = 31), agriculture students (n = 60) and street-sweepers (n = 51). L1/2a serotype was predominant. Individuals from urban areas (19.5 per cent) and those who had less contact with animals (21.7 per cent) had significantly positive serology when compared with individuals from rural areas (9.4 per cent) and those who had close contact with animals (13.2 per cent). The overall picture is individuals of more specialized occupations had more frequently (25.9 per cent) anti listeria antibodies similar to the results observed in developed countries where listeriosis is a public health problem in urban areas.