Objective To understand the virulence-associated genes and the molecular sub-typing of the Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods in Fujian Province.Method 61 strains of L. monocytogenes and 2 strains of presumptive L. monocytogenes isolated from raw meats were subjected to PCR assay for four virulence-associated genes, hly, plcA, plcB and prfA. 7 of the 61 strains of L. monocytogenes were genotyped by PulseNet pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results The PCR assay revealed that the 61 strains of L. monocytogenes possessed all the four virulence-associated genes, hly, plcA, plcB and plcA the 2 strains of presumptive L. monocytogenes were hly~-, plcA~ ,plcB~-,prfA~- and hly~-, plcA~-,plcB~-,prfA~- by PCR. PFGE divided 7 strains of L. monocytogenes into 5 different genotypes.Conclusion The 61 strains of L. monocytogenes possessed all the four virulence-associated genes, indicating their pothogenicity. The 2 strains of presumptive L. monocytogenes were confirmed as L. innocua by further study. The virulence genes-targeted PCR holds a good promise as a rapid and reliable method for further identification of L. monocytogenes. 2 pairs of the 7 strains of L. monocytogenes genotyped by PFGE have been identified having same pulsotype and have been found previously in chicken products from the same factory. Despite different in time and place, this finding indicates that the PFGE method can be used for further investigation of the source and route of transmission of L. monocytogenes in the frozen chicken produced by that factory.