Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated food.
In humans, listeriosis can give rise to a mild form or to a systemic invasive disease. The first is due to a flu-like and gastroenteric symptomatology (typical of food-borne diseases): fever, chills, headache, muscular pain, nausea and diarrhea appear. The invasive form, on the other hand, is due to the spread of infection from the intestinal tissue to other body areas (bloodstream, CNS, heart and uterus); occurs with bacteremia, encephalitis and meningitis. If contracted during pregnancy, listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, fetal death and serious newborn disease.
