Listeriosis (Listeria Monocytogenes) | Sources, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Listeriosis (Listeria Monocytogenes) | Sources of Bacteria, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Listeriosis is a condition caused by infection with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). L. monocytogenes can be found in a variety of sources including contaminated foods like unwashed raw vegetables, uncooked/undercooked meats and processed deli meats among others. With improvements in sanitation and food inspection standards, the prevalence of this condition has been declining over the past several decades. However, smaller outbreaks can still occur, and this is important as this infection can be dangerous to patients who have compromised immune systems, including those with HIV, newborn babies, elderly patients and patients with diabetes. In this lesson, we discuss the pathophysiology by which listeria uses particular important virulence factors to invade the host, the signs and symptoms that occur in both immunocompetent patients and in patients with poor immune system functioning; we’ll also discuss how clinicians diagnose and treat this condition including ways to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

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JJ

REFERENCES:
StatPearls (2023) - Listeria Monocytogenes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534838/

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