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Disease Atlas / Disease detail

Listeriosis

An evidence-led guide to food exposure, invasive risk in pregnancy, newborns, older and immunocompromised people, culture diagnosis, and antibiotics.

listeriosis · Listeria infection

MONDO:0005828Public QA completeSource-bound · 4

Disease at a glance

Start with the essentials, then explore the patient and research views.

Public revision · 6f2258490e7a

Disease class
Listeriosis is caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes.
Core mechanism
Infection is usually foodborne, and the bacterium can grow at refrigeration temperatures.
Genes or cause
Invasive listeriosis occurs when infection extends beyond the gut into blood or the central nervous system.
Typical features
Noninvasive gastroenteritis can cause fever and diarrhea, while invasive disease may present as sepsis or meningitis.
Variability
Pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and immunocompromised people have higher risk of invasive disease.
Diagnosis
In pregnancy, even mild maternal illness can be associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or severe neonatal infection.
Management
Diagnosis of invasive disease uses blood culture and culture of sterile sites such as cerebrospinal fluid when clinically indicated.
Treatment and research
Routine stool culture or serology is not recommended for asymptomatic food exposure.
Reading evidence
A symptomatic high-risk exposed person may require clinical evaluation, cultures, and presumptive treatment.
Key caution
Invasive listeriosis is generally treated with an antibiotic regimen that includes intravenous ampicillin.

For patients and families

A structured guide for understanding the disease and preparing for clinical conversations.

At a glance

Listeriosis is caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes.

Noninvasive gastroenteritis can cause fever and diarrhea, while invasive disease may present as sepsis or meningitis.

How the disease works

Infection is usually foodborne, and the bacterium can grow at refrigeration temperatures.

Invasive listeriosis occurs when infection extends beyond the gut into blood or the central nervous system.

Why experiences vary

Pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and immunocompromised people have higher risk of invasive disease.

Diagnosis and management

In pregnancy, even mild maternal illness can be associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or severe neonatal infection.

Treatment status

Diagnosis of invasive disease uses blood culture and culture of sterile sites such as cerebrospinal fluid when clinically indicated.

Routine stool culture or serology is not recommended for asymptomatic food exposure.

Reading clinical trials

Exposure to recalled food alone does not mean every asymptomatic high-risk person should be tested or treated.

Topics for a clinical visit

Clinical discussion should cover food exposure, symptoms and onset, pregnancy and immune risk, culture specimens, and treatment indication.

Medical notice

This material is for disease education and is not a personal diagnosis or treatment instruction.

Evidence and sources

A trial registry status does not establish efficacy or regulatory approval.