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[Listeriosis 1985-1995: microbiologic and epidemiologic aspects]
1Centre National de Référence, Institut Pasteur, Paris.
Insights
Listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes (L. m.), affects vulnerable populations and can spread through various foods. Advances in microbiology and epidemiology reveal its ubiquitous nature and resilience, making it a significant concern for food industries.
Area of Science:
- Foodborne pathogens
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Listeriosis is an emerging foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes (L. m.).
- Primarily affects industrialized nations and vulnerable populations like pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Characterized by sporadic cases and outbreaks, posing a significant public health challenge.
Purpose:
- To highlight the emerging threat of Listeria monocytogenes as a foodborne pathogen.
- To underscore the advancements in understanding its microbiology and epidemiology.
- To emphasize the bacterium's unique characteristics and industrial relevance.
Summary:
- Listeria monocytogenes (L. m.) causes severe foodborne illness, including meningitis, septicaemia, and abortion, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Recent microbiological and epidemiological studies show that L. m. can contaminate food at any stage of the food chain.
- This pathogen is ubiquitous, environmentally resistant, microaerophilic, and psychrophilic, surviving prolonged periods under adverse conditions.
Impact:
- Increased awareness of food safety practices throughout the food chain.
- Drives innovation in detection, typing, and control of L. m. in food production.
- Highlights the need for continued research into the ecology and control of this resilient foodborne pathogen.
Abstract:
Listeriosis is an emerging foodborne infection caused by L. monocytogenes (L. m.), mainly identified in industrialized countries. It is a severe disease (meningitis, septicaemia, abortion) which preferentially affects individuals whose immune system is perturbed (pregnant women, newborns, immunocompromized patients and the elderly). Epidemiology is characterized by a background of sporadic cases on which may be surimposed outbreaks. Progresses in microbiology during the last decade (detection and typing of L. m., better understanding of L.m. ecology...) and epidemiological investigations (increased use of case-control studies) demonstrated that all kind of foods, at each step of the food chain, can transmit the disease. In many respects, L.m. differs from most recognized foodborne pathogens: it is ubiquitously present in nature, resistant to various kind of environments, microaerophilic and psychrophilic. Its tenacity in industrial environment and its capability to survive in food over extended period of time under adverse conditions made this bacterium the hottest topic for industrials during the last decade.