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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffListeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal feces. Humans typically are infected by consuming:
- Raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the soil or from contaminated manure used as fertilizer
- Infected 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.
References
- Reducing the risk of foodborne listeria. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm078667.htm. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Gelfand MS. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of listeria monocytogenes infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Baltimore RS. Listeria monocytogenes. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Lorber B. Listerosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Bortolussi R. Listeriosis: A primer. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:795.
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