Listeriosis: a Rare but Deadly Disease

Listeriosis is a serious foodborne illness that affects primarily those with weakened immune systems. Sporadic cases are uncommon, but incidence rates can be high in outbreak situations. Identification of the organism is important for early disease detection and treatment and also for epidemiologic surveillance and tracking. This article reviews the microbiology of the organism that causes listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes, and the clinical aspects of the disease, as well as strategies for prevention.