Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium that causes listeriosis. It is dangerous - 20 to 30 percent of infections are fatal. Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant women. The most common cause of listeria infection is food, primarily meat and cold cuts, but also dairy products. What are the symptoms of listeria infection? How is listeriosis treated?

Listeriamonocytogenesthat causes listeriosis, is a bacterium that likes rotten meat, blue cheese, but also grated yellow cheese or stale salads. It should be emphasized that it is not a completely foreign bacterium for most of us - research shows that even every tenth person hasL in his digestive tract. monocytogenes .

Listeria monocytogenes is very serious - 20-30 percent is fatal.

In 2022, 9 people died in Europe as a result of eating frozen vegetables contaminated with listeria, according to the European Food Safety Authority. GIS warns that frozen vegetables should always be cooked after defrosting.

Listeria: sources of infection

  • unpasteurized milk
  • raw and cooked meat
  • fermented raw sausages
  • raw and smoked fish
  • cheeses (brie, camembert or blue cheeses)
  • grated yellow cheeses
  • meat, vegetable or fish pâtés
  • ready salads
  • ice cream

Listeria: symptoms of infection

Symptoms of listeria infection appear 4 hours to several days after eating the infected product. The most common symptoms include:

  • high fever
  • joint and muscle pains
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • convulsions
  • temporary loss of consciousness

Timely undiagnosed listeriosis can lead to meningitis, endocarditis, or sepsis.

Listeriosis: diagnosis

Listeriosis is diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms and diagnostic tests that indicate the presence ofListeria monocytogenesin the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal discharge, stool, and meconium in newborns.

Listeriosis: treatment

The only method of treating listeriosis is antibiotic therapy. It is given to the sick personthen amoxicillin with aminoglycoside, cotrimoxazole and macrolides.

Listeriosis: what is the mortality rate?

In the United States, listeria is responsible for approximately 2,500 cases and 500 deaths per year, causing a greater mortality rate than salmonella orClostridium botulinum .

In the presence of meningitis, the overall death rate can be as high as 70 percent, with sepsis 50 percent, with perinatal infections and neonatal infections above 80 percent. Infection during pregnancy is usually not life threatening for the mother.

  • Listeriosis in pregnancy. Listeria is a bacteria that is dangerous in pregnancy
  • Poisoned meat: the digestive system's greatest enemy. How to recognize poisoned meat?
  • Botulism: botulism

Category:

Infectious diseases