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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffListeria infections are caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can be found in:
- Soil
- Water
- Some wild and domestic animals
Humans are often exposed to listeria by consuming:
- Raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the soil or from contaminated manure used as fertilizer
- Infected animal meat
- Unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk
- Certain processed foods — such as soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli meats that have been contaminated after processing
Unborn babies can contract a listeria infection from the mother via the placenta. Breast-feeding is not considered a potential cause of infection.
- Bortolussi R. Listeriosis: a primer. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008; 179:795.
- Listeriosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/listeriosis_gi.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Listeria: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whillist.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Gelfand MS. Treatment, prognosis, and prevention of Listeria monocytogenes infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
