Listeria is a bacterial genus containing six species. Named in honour of Joseph Lister, Listeria species are Gram
positive bacilli and are typified by L. monocytogenes, the causative agent of Listeriosis.

L. ivanovii is a pathogen of ruminants, and can infect mice in the laboratory, although it is only rarely the cause of
human disease.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by a gram-positive, motile bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes.[1] Listeriosis is
relatively rare and occurs primarily in newborn infants, elderly patients, and patients who are immunocompromised.

Incidence is 7.4 cases per million population. Annually, 1850 cases are reported in the U.S.. Pregnant women account
for 27% of all cases. Of all nonperinatal infections, 70% occur in immunocompromised patients.

L monocytogenes can often be cultured from the blood, and always cultured from the CSF.


There are four distinct clinical syndromes:
*Infection in pregnancy: Listeria can proliferate asymptomatically in the vagina and uterus. If the mother becomes
symptomatic, it is usually in the third trimester. Symptoms include fever, myalgias, arthralgias and headache. Abortion,
stillbirth and preterm labor are complications of GU infection.
*Neonatal infection (granulomatosis infantisepticum): There are two forms. One, an early-onset sepsis, with Listeria
acquired in utero, results in premature birth. Listeria can be isolated in the placenta, blood, meconium, nose, ears, and
throat. Another, late-onset meningitis is acquired through vaginal transmission, although it also has been reported with
cesarean deliveries.
*CNS infection: Listeria has a predilection for the brain parenchyma, especially the brain stem, and the meninges.
Mental status changes are common. Seizures occur in at least 25% of patients. Cranial nerve palsies, encephalitis,
meningitis, meningoencephalitis and abscesses can all occur.
*Gastroenteritis: L monocytogenes can produce food-borne diarrheal disease, which typically is noninvasive. The
median incubation period is 1-2 days, with diarrhea lasting anywhere from 1-3 days. Patients present with fever,
myalgias, muscle aches, gastrintestinal,nausea or diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balence, or
convulsions
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Listeriosis


Listeria:  L. monocytogenes has been implicated in several food poisoning epidemics. The bacterium usually causes
septicema and meningitis in patients with supressed immune function. It also causes listeriosis which is an inflammation
of the brain.  Those at high risk include newborns, pregnant women and their fetuses, the elderly, and persons lacking
a healthy immune system.

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