Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 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

A small outbreak of listeriosis associated with smoked mussels

M S Brett1, P Short, J McLauchlin

  • 1Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Porirua, New Zealand. maggie.brett@esr.cri.nz

International Journal of Food Microbiology
|November 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Two perinatal listeriosis cases were linked to Brand X smoked mussels in New Zealand. Microbiological analysis confirmed Listeria monocytogenes contamination in mussels and the food production environment.

Area of Science:

  • Foodborne illness
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Perinatal listeriosis poses significant risks.
  • Brand X smoked mussels were identified as a potential food source in two cases.
  • Listeria monocytogenes is a known foodborne pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between perinatal listeriosis cases and Brand X smoked mussels.
  • To identify the source of Listeria monocytogenes infection.
  • To confirm the food production environment's role.

Main Methods:

  • Isolating Listeria monocytogenes from patient and food samples.
  • Utilizing serogrouping and DNA macrorestriction analysis (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis - PFGE).
  • Employing a combination of subtyping methods: serotyping, phage typing, RFLP, and sensitivity testing.

Main Results:

  • Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from patient samples and Brand X smoked mussels.
  • PFGE analysis showed indistinguishable strains between patients, mussels, and the factory environment.
  • Subtyping confirmed a link between clinical cases, contaminated mussels, and the processing factory.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first microbiological confirmation in New Zealand of a foodborne listeriosis outbreak linked to a specific food product and its production environment.
  • The findings highlight the importance of robust food safety measures in preventing listeriosis.
  • Contaminated smoked mussels were identified as the likely source of infection.

More Related Videos

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

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Sources of Food Contamination01:29

Sources of Food Contamination

Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
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...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...