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· 11 Jan 2022

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What is listeria

Listeria monocytogenes, shortly known as listeria is a disease-causing bacteria found in water, soil, animal, decaying vegetation, and wet habitats, may survive and even thrive under refrigeration and other food preservation methods. People who eat contaminated food may develop listeriosis. Although the illness can spread by contact with animals and neonatal transmission, the main route of infection is thought to be through the eating of infected food. Meat, dairy, seafood, shellfish, and vegetable products have all been linked to the spread of the disease. Let us understand what is listeria, the disease cause by it- listeriosis, how it affects human health and the treatment options available.

What is listerosis?
When an individual consumes a food item contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, he/she develops a serious infection named as listeriosis.
Symptoms of listeriosis
•    Chills
•    Nausea and vomiting
•    Diarrhoea,
•    Headache
•    Muscle aches

Above stated are some of the mild symptoms of listeria (experiences by healthy people) and generally disappears in its own. However, in the elderly or in individuals with weaker immune listeria may lead to:
•    Meningitis
•    Sepsis
•    Or organ failures

In a pregnant woman, it can lead to:
•    Abortion
•    Premature delivery
•    Stillbirth

Causes of transmission
L. monocytogenes (illness-causing bacteria) is generally transmitted from food to human body when the food item is processed, packed, or stored in the bacteria contaminated environments. Raw materials, water, soil, and incoming air can all pollute the environment. If pets eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes, the bacteria can spread throughout the home. Listeria can survive in temperatures ranging from below freezing (–7°C) to body temperature, and it thrives at –18 to 10°C, which includes the temperature range utilised in refrigeration. As a result, Listeria could even spread through adequately refrigerated ready-to-eat foods. One of the numerous issues posed by this hazardous bacterium is its ability to grow in such a wide range of conditions. Infection with Listeria monocytogenes is relatively rare. However, women who are pregnant, elderly, or have compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to Listeria infection.
Moreover, listeria transmission has been found due to a variety of foods, including raw fish, shellfish, and fish products; raw meat, poultry, and poultry products, including hot dogs and pate, ripened soft cheeses, ice cream, raw and processed vegetables retail cook-chill meals; salads, raw and partly cooked egg, as well as raw or inadequately pasteurised milk

Treatment
An appropriate treatment program may depend upon the symptoms and diagnosis, which may include a urine test, blood test or spinal fluid test. In general, antibiotics are considered to be effective in combating infection.

Prevention
Although the quantity of organisms found in other foods, such as cooked chilled dinners and ready-to-eat chicken, is often minimal, pregnant women should reheat these dishes completely until they are 'piping hot.' Pregnant women should avoid helping with lambing, milking newly delivered ewes, touching the afterbirth, or coming into contact with newborn lambs, as these are all potential sources of Listeria. Immunocompromised people should take the same precautions as pregnant women, but the risk of infection in healthy adults is considered too low to warrant any dietary adjustments. The key to preventing listeria is to keep ready-to-eat meals cold.

Note: The article is meant for general awareness of the readers. The information provided is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute to medical practitioner's recommendations. In case you find above stated symptoms in you or your known, kindly consult a physician or a specialist regarding diagnosis and treatment.

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