--- title: Listeria Food Poisoning date: 2007-10-18T10:32:00-07:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/about-listeria" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) / # Listeria Food Poisoning ### What is *Listeria* and how does it cause food poisoning? *Listeria* is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that is ubiquitous and can grow under either anaerobic (without oxygen) or aerobic (with oxygen) conditions. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutlisteriacom-images/outbreaks/image1.jpeg)Listeriosis is one of the most important bacterial infections worldwide that arises mainly from the consumption of contaminated food. The disease is caused by *Listeria monocytogenes*, which is considered an opportunistic pathogen that affects mainly those with underlying immune conditions, such as pregnant women, neonates, and elders, resulting in septicemia, meningitis, and/or meningoencephalitis. Of the six species of *Listeria*, only *L. monocytogenes* causes disease in humans. *Listeria* thrives between 86 and 98.6oF (30-37oC), but it can grow at temperatures as low as −0.4°C and survive in freezing conditions down to −18°C. This unique quality allows thermal characteristics to be used as a means of differentiating *Listeria* from other possibly-contaminating bacteria. Beyond its ability to grow at low temperatures, *Listeria* can withstand a broad range of pH, high salinity, and desiccation. *Listeria* species are also able to adhere tightly to surfaces and form biofilms, which are protective structures of proteins and sugars secreted by the bacteria themselves. These biofilms allow the bacteria to take up residence in a refrigerator, on a preparation table, within a processing line, etc., and persist for months or years, withstanding even some cleaning and sanitizing. According to a 2014 publication, the World Health Organization noted a global *Listeria* burden of 23,150 illnesses and 5,463 deaths in 2010. In the United States, there are an estimated 255 deaths due to foodborne *Listeria monocytogenes* every year, and a case fatality rate of 15-30%. Due to the fatality rate and severe complications, *Listeria* is considered to be a pathogen of significant public health concern. As one noted expert observed, summarizing the history of these bacteria and their significance for public health: > Although *L. monocytogenes* was recognized as an animal pathogen over 80 years ago, the first outbreak confirming an indirect transmission from animals to humans was reported only in 1983, in Canada's Maritime provinces. In that outbreak, cabbages, stored in the cold over the winter, were contaminated with *Listeria* through exposure to infected sheep manure. A subsequent outbreak in California in 1985 confirmed the role of food in disseminating listeriosis. Since then, *Listeria* has been implicated in many outbreaks of food-borne illness, most commonly from exposure to contaminated dairy products and prepared meat products, including turkey and deli meats, pâté, hot dogs, and seafood and fish. Because of the prevalence of *Listeria* in agricultural and food processing and preparation environments, and the severe disease it can cause, many precautions are used throughout the food industry to reduce the risk of illness from this pathogen. [ Next: The Incidence of Listeria Infections › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-incidence-of-listeria-infections) ### More information about Listeria [August 23, 2023 ###### Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials say. Marler Clark, the Listeria ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) [July 12, 2023 ###### 2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The number of infected persons identified ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) [March 26, 2023 ###### Listeria linked to yogurt prompts recall Clio Snacks of Piscataway, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling 581 cases of its Strawberry Granola & Greek Yogurt Parfait Bar due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-linked-to-yogurt-prompts-recall) [November 20, 2022 ###### Enoki Mushrooms recalled again As of November 15, 2022, two people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from two states. Sick people’s samples were collected from October 5, 2022, to October 8, 2022. ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/enoki-mushrooms-recalled-again) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=listeria&year=all) ## All Listeria Resources [###### Listeria Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/about-listeria) [###### The Incidence of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-incidence-of-listeria-infections) [###### The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevalence) [###### Transmission of and Infection with Listeria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/transmission-of-and-infection-with-listeria) [###### Who is Most at Risk of Becoming Ill with Listeria? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/who-is-most-at-risk-for-becoming-ill-with-listeria) [###### What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/complications-of-listeria-infection) [###### How is Listeria Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-treatment) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/antimicrobial-resistance-in-bacteria) [###### The Economic Impact of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-economic-impact-of-listeria-infections) [###### Preventing Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevention) [###### Listeria References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)