Source
Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread germ in nature. Infects:
- Domestic animals, in particular sheep,
- Wild Animals,
- Birds.
The bacterium is found in:
- Soil
- Feedingstuffs
- Water
- Mud
- Animal food,
- In the Silo,
- Milk and dairy products,
- Raw or processed meat (hotdog, sausage and pate),
- Plant Products,
- Seafood.
Listeria monocytogenes is very resistant to the external environment and to various chemical agents as well as to refrigerator temperature; can survive for months in foodstuffs.
Man can also be a bacterial tank; asymptomatic excretion of bacteria through faecal matter is encountered in slaughterhouse workers. This pathway to remove the bacterium has been proven for several months. Studies have shown that the bacterium can form a biofilm that allows the attachment to stainless steel surfaces with increased resistance to disinfectants and antimicrobial agents.
No secondary infections have been identified in household contacts.
Method of transmission
The main transmission pathways are: digestive and maternal-foetal.
Cases of listeriosis in pregnant women are more frequently associated with food consumption such as milk and dairy products, meat, fish.
It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infectious material, in which case Papillo lesions appear on hands and arms.
Maternal-foetal transmission may be intrauterine, as long as the woman is pregnant or at birth when the newborn passes through the infected birth canal.
Risk groups
They are persons working with domestic animals or birds, or those who manipulate and process raw meat.
At risk are also pregnant women who consume foods such as milk and dairy products, meat, fish, heat-unprocessed sausages.
Fetuses and newborn infants are also extremely sensitive to people with impaired immune systems, people with malignant tumors, organ transplant, diabetics, cirrhotic, patients with renal and cardiac diseases, HIV infection and old people.
About Corneliu Zaharia
