Listeria is a
bacterium which is not capable of forming endospores. Only two species are of
human pathogenic significance: L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii. L. monocytogenes have been implicated in several
food poisoning epidemics. It lives in the
gastrointestinal tract and in animal
feces. People who are infected suffered from
vomiting,
nausea, and
diarrhea. Newborns, pregnant women and their fetuses, the elderly, and persons lacking a healthy immune system are the most susceptible. It also causes listeriosis which is an inflammation of the
brain.
Antibiotics are used for treatment of infection because most strains of Listeria are sensitive to ampicillin and gentamicin.
Hard data from medic.med.uth.tmc.edu