Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria found in soil and water. It can be in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk. Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator.



Early onset neonatal listeriosis has a 20-30% mortality rate. Late-onset neonatal listeriosis has a 0-20% mortality rate. The mortality rate in older children is less than 10%. Hydrocephalus, mental retardation, and other CNS sequelae have been reported in survivors of Listeria meningitis.

The symptoms of infection include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhoea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions may occur. In otherwise healthy individuals, infection is usually mild.

Most otherwise healthy people exposed to listeria don't become ill. However, a listeria infection can be devastating for pregnant women and people who have weak immune systems. Listeria infections cause about 500 deaths a year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Disease of animals that may occasionally infect humans, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria multiply at temperatures close to 0'C/32'F, which means they may flourish in precooked frozen meals if the cooking has not been thorough. Listeriosis causes flulike symptoms and inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membranes. It can be treated with penicillin.

Listeria monocytogenes, for example, encodes virulence genes which are thermoregulated. The expression of virulence factor is optimal at 37 degrees Celsius and is controlled by a transcriptional activator, PrfA, whose expression is thermoregulated by the PrfA thermoregulator UTR element. At low temperatures, the PrfA transcript is not translated due to structural elements near the ribosome binding site. As the bacteria infects the host, the temperature of the host melts the structure and allows translation initiation for the virulent genes.

You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. Although healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill, those at increased risk for infection can probably get listeriosis after eating food contaminated with even a few bacteria. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.