Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food
08:38

Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food

Published on: May 6, 2013

20.2K

Uncommon manifestations of Listeria monocytogenes infection

Ruchir Chavada1, Caitlin Keighley2, Syed Quadri3

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney South Western Area Pathology Services (SSWPS), Liverpool Hospital, Corner Goulburn Street, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia. ruchirchavda@gmail.com.

BMC Infectious Diseases
|December 4, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Focal Listeria monocytogenes infections are rare and difficult to diagnose, often requiring microbiological confirmation. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in immunocompromised patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe infections like gastroenteritis, meningitis, and bacteraemia, particularly in vulnerable populations.
  • Focal infections due to Listeria monocytogenes are uncommon, especially in sporadic, non-outbreak settings, posing diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

  • Three Australian cases of unusual focal Listeria monocytogenes infections are presented: septic arthritis of a prosthetic knee, prosthetic vascular graft infection, and perianal abscess.
  • Diagnosis was delayed in two cases due to the atypical presentation and initial underestimation of Listeria monocytogenes as the causative agent.
  • Matrix-Associated Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) facilitated earlier and accurate identification of Listeria monocytogenes.

Findings:

  • All three patients had Listeria monocytogenes isolated from clinical specimens and were successfully treated with antibiotics and surgery.
  • Public health investigations found no specific dietary links requiring intervention beyond general advice.

Implications:

  • Sporadic focal Listeria infections are infrequent and often diagnosed late, highlighting the importance of microbiological sampling for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
  • Thorough clinical history, including dietary assessment, and patient counseling on food safety are crucial, especially for immunocompromised individuals at risk of listeriosis.

More Related Videos

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

13.4K
Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes09:18

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes

Published on: May 27, 2015

6.0K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
3
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
907
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
67
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
4
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
165
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
472