Epidemic listeriosis: evidence for transmission by food [Listeria monocytogenes]

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a motile, gram-positive coccobacillus that can frequently be isolated from soil, water, and vegetation. It is a common cause of meningoencephalitis and abortion in ruminants, but it is infrequently identified as a human pathogen. In adults, L. monocytogenes is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis and a rare cause of sepsis, endocarditis, peritonitis, or focal abscess. In neonates, it is the third most common cause of bacterial meningitis after Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae . In addition, perinatal infections can cause abortion, stillbirth, and a devastating septic illness termed "granulomatosis infantisepticum." The mode of acquisition . . .