Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes (pronunciation: lih-steer-ee-uh mono-si-toh-je-neez) is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is capable of causing the infection listeriosis.
Etymology
The bacterium is named after the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who pioneered antiseptic surgery. The term monocytogenes derives from the Greek words monos (meaning "single") and cytogene (meaning "cell-producing").
Description
Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can survive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments. It is also capable of surviving in a wide range of temperatures, from refrigeration to body temperature. This bacterium is unique in its ability to invade and adapt to the intracellular environment of the host, leading to serious infection.
Infection and Symptoms
Infection with Listeria monocytogenes, known as listeriosis, can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions.
Treatment
Listeriosis is usually treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotics used depend on the patient's health status and the severity of the infection.
Prevention
Prevention of listeriosis involves proper food handling and preparation practices, including thorough cooking of raw food from animal sources, washing raw vegetables thoroughly before eating, and avoiding unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Listeria monocytogenes
- Wikipedia's article - Listeria monocytogenes
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