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Gastroenteritis due to Listeria monocytogenes
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes can cause acute febrile gastroenteritis in healthy individuals. This foodborne illness typically presents with diarrhea and lasts about two days, often requiring consideration when routine tests are negative.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Food Safety
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a known cause of severe infections like bacteremia and meningoencephalitis.
- Historically, its role in gastroenteritis was less understood, particularly in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present evidence that Listeria monocytogenes can cause acute, self-limited, febrile gastroenteritis in healthy persons.
- To highlight the significance of L. monocytogenes in foodborne outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported outbreaks and clinical presentations.
- Analysis of typical illness onset, duration, and symptoms.
Main Results:
- Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in at least 7 outbreaks of foodborne gastroenteritis.
- Illness onset is typically 24 hours post-ingestion, with symptoms lasting around 2 days.
- Common symptoms include fever, watery diarrhea, nausea, headache, and myalgia/arthralgia.
Conclusions:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a significant cause of febrile gastroenteritis.
- Consider L. monocytogenes in febrile gastroenteritis outbreaks when routine cultures are negative.