Listeriosis (patient information)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here.

Listeriosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Listeriosis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Listeriosis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Listeriosis

Videos on Listeriosis

FDA on Listeriosis

CDC on Listeriosis

Listeriosis in the news

Blogs on Listeriosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Listeriosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Listeriosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S; João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health concern in the United States. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected. The risk may be reduced by following a few simple recommendations.

What are the symptoms of Listeriosis?

The symptoms vary with the infected person:

Late-onset infection in the infant (symptoms appear age 5 days or older) and infection in children is often seen as meningitis.

What causes Listeriosis?

You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. However, healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.

The bacterium has been found in a variety of foods, such as:

  • Uncooked meats and vegetables
  • Unpasteurized (raw) milk and cheeses as well as other foods made from unpasteurized milk
  • Cooked or processed foods, including certain soft cheeses, processed (or ready-to-eat) meats, and smoked seafood

Listeria are killed by cooking and pasteurization. However, in some ready-to-eat meats, such as hot dogs and deli meats, contamination may occur after factory cooking but before packaging or even at the deli counter.

Also, be aware that Mexican-style cheeses (such as queso fresco) made from pasteurized milk and likely contaminated during cheese-making have caused Listeria infections.

Unlike most bacteria, Listeria can grow and multiply in some foods in the refrigerator.

Who is at highest risk?

Vegetables, meats, and other foods you eat can get infected with the bacteria if they come in contact with contaminated soil or manure. Raw milk or products made from raw milk may carry these bacteria. If you eat the contaminated products, you may get sick.

The following groups are at increased risk:[1]

  • Pregnant women: About one in seven (14%) cases of Listeria infection occurs during pregnancy. The bacteria may cross the placenta and infect the developing baby. Infection during pregnancy can cause fetal loss (miscarriage or stillbirth), preterm labor, and illness or death in newborn infants.
  • Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get Listeria infection.
  • Pregnant Hispanic women are about 24 times more likely than the general population to get Listeria infection
  • Adults 65 years and older are about 4 times more likely than the general population to get Listeria infection.

When to seek urgent medical care?

If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.

Diagnosis

If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.

Treatment options

Antibiotics given promptly can cure the illness and prevent infection of the fetus. Even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death. This is particularly likely in older adults and in persons with other serious medical problems.

Where to find medical care for Listeriosis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Listeriosis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Listeriosis in a fetus or infant results in a poor outcome with a high death rate. Healthy older children and adults have a lower death rate.

Possible complications

Infants who survive listeriosis may have long-term neurological damage and delayed development.

Prevention

You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. However, healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.

Sources

CDC Listeriosis Template:WH Template:WS

  1. "Vital Signs: Listeria Illnesses, Deaths, and Outbreaks".