What is Listeria contamination?

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die.

How is a diagnosis of listeriosis made in a hospital?

The initial diagnosis of listeriosis is made based on clinical symptoms and detection of the bacteria in a smear from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), meconium of newborns (or the fetus in abortion cases), as well as from faeces, vomitus, foods or animal feed.

Who is most at risk for listeriosis infection?

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.

What is the diagnosis and treatment of Listeria monocytogenes?

Diagnosis and Treatment. Language: Listeriosis is usually diagnosed when a bacterial culture (a type of laboratory test) grows Listeria monocytogenes from a body tissue or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.

What foods are safe to eat if you have Listeria?

Ready-to-eat processed meat such as hot dogs and deli meat (both factory-sealed packages and products sold at deli counters); Prepared or stored salads, including coleslaw and fresh fruit salad;

What kind of meat was in the listeria outbreak?

Epidemiologic evidence showed that deli meat was the likely source of this outbreak. In interviews with 11 ill people, all reported eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. They reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations.

How to know if you have Listeria monocytogenes?

Pets can also spread the bacteria in the home environment if they eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes. There are a range of symptoms for listeriosis. Depending on the severity of the illness, symptoms may last from days to several weeks. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Are there any new species of Listeria monocytogenes?

In recent years, many new species were proposed. However, these new species are not widely adopted and the number of type strains for the newly proposed species are very limited. L. ivanovii and L. monocytogenes are pathogenic for mice and other animals. However, only L. monocytogenes is commonly associated with human listeriosis.

When was PCR confirmation for Listeria monocytogenes?

November 2011: Addition of PCR confirmation for Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. isolates other than L. grayi. April 2011: Section E. Diagram describing the Henry Optical System for examination of colonies added; references for Listeria monocytogenes Risk Assessment and Guidance updated.

Is there an outbreak of Listeria in deli meats?

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to deli meats.

Who is Moderne Kirchenlieder and what does he do?

How many people die each year from Listeria?

An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.