Listeriosis – a littleknown, dangerous, contagious disease
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2010, Vol 16, Issue 4
Abstract
Listeriosis is an acute or latent contagious disease in humans and over 50 animal species. The etiologic factor is Listeria monocytogenes – aerobic (facultatively anaerobic) a Gram-positive, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative rod-shaped bacterium. Within the genus Listeria 8 species are distinguished: L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii,. L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seeligeri, L. murrayi, L. grayii and L. denitrificans. Among these species, in principle, only L. monocytogenes is of epizootic and epidemiological importance. The gateways of infection are: the alimentary tract, damaged skin, mucous membranes (especially the conjunctiva), and placenta. At the highest risk of infection are pregnant women and newborn infants, people with decreased immunity due to chronic diseases, including cancer and AIDS, and adults receiving immunosuppresive drugs (after organ transplantations).Listeriosis in humans may take a course under various clinical forms. This may be primary or secondary listeriosis. Both in humans and animals this disease still remains among current epidemiological and epizootiological problems, and is on the list of contagious diseases under the obligation to report in the European Community countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Lithuania and Poland.
Authors and Affiliations
Elżbieta Galińska, Józef Knap, Maria Stroczyńska-Sikorska
Keywords
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