How does Listeria infect the body?

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. People become infected by eating foods contaminated with the bacteria. Listeria may infect many different sites in the body, such as the brain, spinal cord membranes, or the bloodstream.

How does Listeria reproduce?

After entering a host cell, L. monocytogenes rapidly escape from phagosomes through the combined actions of a pore-forming hemolysin, listeriolysin O, and two phospholipases, PlcA and PlcB, and then replicates in the cytosol (O’Riordan & Portnoy, 2002; Schnupf & Portnoy, 2007).

What is the pathogenesis of Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for severe infections in human and a large variety of animal species. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen which invades macrophages and most tissue cells of infected hosts where it can proliferate.

How does Listeria move between cells?

Listeria monocytogenes moves from one cell to another using actin-rich membrane protrusions that propel the bacterium toward neighboring cells. Despite cholesterol being required for this transfer process, the precise host internalization mechanism remains elusive.

What is the incubation period for Listeria?

This form of disease is characterized by severe symptoms and a high mortality rate (20%–30%). The symptoms include fever, myalgia (muscle pain), septicemia, meningitis. The incubation period is usually one to two weeks but can vary between a few days and up to 90 days.

How do you diagnose Listeria?

Listeriosis is usually diagnosed when a bacterial culture (a type of laboratory test) grows Listeria monocytogenes from a body tissue or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.

What is the movement of Listeria?

Motile via flagella at 30 °C and below, but usually not at 37 °C, L. monocytogenes can instead move within eukaryotic cells by explosive polymerization of actin filaments (known as comet tails or actin rockets). Studies suggest up to 10% of human gastrointestinal tracts may be colonized by L. monocytogenes.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

Symptoms of listeriosis vary depending on the form and can come on suddenly. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

How do I know if I have Listeria poisoning?

What are the symptoms of listeriosis? Listeriosis can cause mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and diarrhea or upset stomach. You also may have a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or loss of balance. Symptoms may appear as late as 2 months after you have eaten something with Listeria.

What is Listeria contamination?

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die.

How long does it take to show symptoms of Listeria?

If you develop a listeria infection, you may experience: Symptoms may begin a few days after you’ve eaten contaminated food, but it may take as long as 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin.

How many people die each year from Listeria?

An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.

What happens to a baby with a Listeria infection?

Complications. Complications of a listeria infection may be most severe for an unborn baby. Early in pregnancy, a listeria infection may lead to miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, a listeria infection may lead to stillbirth, premature birth or a potentially fatal infection in the baby after birth — even if the mother becomes only mildly ill.