Infectious disease project

Name of disease

Listeriosis

Name of causative agent

Listeria monocytogenes (Bauman, 2015, 608-609)

Gram reaction

Gram positive (Bauman, 2015, 608-609)

Morphology

Bacillus/Rod; singles or short chains (Bauman, 2015, 608-609 )

Epidemiology

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Geographic prevalence

-Can be found worldwide (DeNoordhout, Devleeschower, Angulo, etal., 2014, 70870-9)

-CDC estimates that approximately 1600 illnesses total and 260 deaths due to listeriosis occur annually in the United States (www.cdc.gov/listeria/statistics.html)

Average rates of infection/incidence

In 2013, the average annual incidence of listeriosis in the United States was 0.26 cases per 100,000 individuals. (www.cdc.gov/listeria/statistics.html)

At-risk populations

Very young, elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of infection. (https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/faq.html)

Reservoir

“Organs of asymptomatic carriers and infected hosts (human, animals and birds) serve as reservoirs…” (Chukwu, Chukwu, Olabode, etal., 2006, 86-93)

Transmission mode

eating contaminated food; “Rare cases of hospital-acquired transmission have been reported in newborns” (www.cdc.gov/listeria/sources.html )

Pathology

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Major tissues/organs

Liver, placenta, brain, adrenal glands, spleen, kidney, lungs gastrointestinal tract (Ikeh, Obi, Ezeasor, etal., 2010, 4776-4782)

Incubation period and Major signs/symptoms

Fever, muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms; "invasive" infection, in which the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms vary with the infected person. (www.cdc.gov/listeria/definition.html)

Complications?

Complications usually involve the central nervous system and the bloodstream, but may include pneumonia and endocarditis. (Ikeh, Obi, Ezeasor, etal., 2010, 4776-4782)

Treatment

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Main treatment methods

Supportive Care and Antibiotics (www.cdc.gov/listeria/treatment.html)

Typical length of treatment

About 2-3 weeks (www.cdc.gov/listeria/treatment.html)

Prophylaxis? (prevention)

“Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Even if the produce will be peeled, it should still be washed first.; Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.; Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.; Separate uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.; Keep kitchen and utensils clean.” (www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention.html)

2 Interesting Facts

1) “The true incidence of listeriosis in humans is not known, because in the average healthy adult, infections are usually asymptomatic, or at most produce a mild influenza-like disease.” (Todar, 2012)

2) “One of the most serious and publicized outbreaks of listeriosis occurred in California in 1985 as reported in MMWR, June 21, 1985 / 34(24);357-9.” (Todar, 2012)