Health Encyclopedia

Listeriosis

Definition

Listeriosis is an infection that can occur when a person eats food that has been contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes (L monocytogenes).

Alternative Names

Listerial infection; Granulomatosis infantisepticum; Fetal listeriosis

Causes

The bacteria L monocytogenes is found in wild animals, domesticated animals, and in soil and water. These bacteria make many animals sick, leading to miscarriage and stillbirth in domestic animals.

Vegetables, meats, and other foods can get infected with the bacteria if they come in contact with contaminated soil or manure. Raw milk or products made from raw milk may carry these bacteria.

If you eat the contaminated products, you may get sick. The following people are at increased risk:

Adults over age 50
Adults with a weakened immune system
Developing fetuses
Newborns
Pregnancy

The bacteria most often cause a gastrointestinal illness. In some cases, you can develop a blood infection (septicemia) or inflammation of the covering of the brain (meningitis). Infants and children often have meningitis.

Infection in early pregnancy may cause a miscarriage. The bacteria may cross the placenta and infect the developing baby. Infections in late pregnancy may lead to stillbirth or death of the infant within a few hours of birth. About one half of infants infected at or near birth will die.

In adults, the disease may take many forms, depending on what organ or organ systems are infected. It may occur as:

Heart infection (endocarditis)
Brain or spinal fluid infection (meningitis)
Lung infection (pneumonia)
Blood infection (septicemia)
Gastrointestinal infection (gastroenteritis, diarrhea)

Or it may occur in a milder form as:

Symptoms

In infants, symptoms of listeriosis may be seen in the first few days of life and may include:

Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Jaundice
Respiratory distress (usually pneumonia)
Shock
Skin rash
Vomiting

Exams and Tests

Laboratory tests may be done to detect the bacteria in amniotic fluid, blood, feces, and urine. A spinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) culture will be performed if a spinal tap is performed.

Treatment

Antibiotics (including ampicillin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) are prescribed to kill the bacteria.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Listeriosis in a fetus or infant is often fatal. Healthy older children and adults are more likely to survive. The illness is less serious if it only affects the gastrointestinal system. Brain or spinal infections have worse outcomes.

Possible Complications

Infants who survive listeriosis may have long-term brain and nervous system (neurologic) damage and delayed development.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you or your child develops symptoms of listeriosis.

Prevention

Foreign food products, such as nonpasteurized soft cheeses, have also led to outbreaks of listeriosis. Always cook food thoroughly.

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching pets, farm animals, and handling animal feces.

Pregnant women may want to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for information on food precautions: www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention.html.

References

Johnson JE, Mylonakis E. Listeria monocytogenes. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 206.

Kollman TR, Mailman TL, Bortolussi R. Listeriosis. In: Wilson CB, Nizet V, Maldonado YA, Remington JS, Klein JO, eds. Remington and Klein's Infectious Diseases of the Fetus and Newborn Infant. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 13.

Review Date:8/26/2023
Reviewed By:Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.