Listeria Background

Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of a severe and life-threatening food-borne disease known as listeriosis.

In nature, L. monocytogenes (Lm) is ubiquitous in soil, water, animal waste and decaying plants, where it acts as a saprophyte. Transmission of Lm to humans can occur via a diverse range of food types including pre-cooked contaminated meat, unpasteurised dairy products, soft cheese, vegetables, fruit and undercooked ready-to-eat food products.

In healthy adults, Lm infection may be asymptomatic or cause a self -limiting flu-like illness with vomiting and diarrhoea. However, in the elderly, newborn infants and immunocompromised individuals, invasive L.monocytogenes infection can occur leading to life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and septicaemia. In pregnant women, infection of the foetus in utero can cause spontaneous abortion (CDC).

Although the number of annual reported cases of Listeriosis are relatively small, most patients with listeriosis require hospitalisation and the risk of death is high in these cases. In addition, Lm infection is the reported to be the third leading cause of foodborne death and is therefore a global health concern.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Listeria (Listeriosis)