noun
definition
Any rod-shaped, gram-positive bacterium, of the genus Listeria, especially those responsible for the bacterial infection listeriosis.
synonyms
Examples of listeria in a Sentence
Listeriosis is an illness caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes that is acquired by eating contaminated food.
Listeriosis is caused by an infection with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
Five out of every 100 people carry Listeria monocytogenes in their intestines.
Listeriosis is considered a food-borne illness because most people are probably infected after eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
In addition, there have been a few cases where workers have developed Listeria skin infections by touching infected calves or poultry.
Subsequently, processed meats and dairy products were tested for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) can legally prevent food from being shipped, or order food recalls, if they detect any Listeria bacteria.
Nonetheless, as of 2004, about 2,500 individuals become seriously ill from Listeria annually, with about 500 deaths.
As noted, persons become infected with Listeria monocytogenes by eating contaminated food.
Listeria has been found on raw vegetables, fish, poultry, raw (unpasteurized) milk, fresh meat, processed meat (such as deli meat, hot dogs, and canned meat), and certain soft cheeses.
Unlike most other bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes does not stop growing when food is in the refrigerator; its growth is merely slowed.
Listeria bacteria can pass through the wall of the intestines, and from there they can get into the blood stream.
Listeria monocytogenes live inside specific white blood cells called macrophages.
Listeria bacteria are capable of multiplying within macrophages and then may spread to other macrophages.
Scientists suspect that Listeria monocytogenes can cause upset stomach and intestinal problems just like other food-borne illnesses.
Half of the newborns infected with Listeria die from the illness.
When a full-term baby becomes infected with Listeria during childbirth, that situation is called late-onset disease.
Listeria monocytogenes causes endocarditis in about 7.5 percent of the cases.
The only way to diagnose listeriosis is to isolate Listeria monocytogenes from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or stool.
Listeria grows well in laboratory media, and test results can be available within a few days.
These can contain a bacteria called Listeria.
Dirty milk may be infected with listeria which can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
These cheeses are made with mold and they can contain listeria, a type of bacteria that could harm your unborn baby.