Listeria Takes Over the World

Improper food and substance handling from factories to store shelve have led to mass panic and true outbreaks in bacterial-based contamination of food sources. Each year it seems as though there’s a new super pathogen. Without the aid of upfront microbiology quality assurance, several pathogens and bacterial strains developed resistance to simple antibacterial and pharmaceutical treated strategies. However, if you've recently watched news or read a paper, you've likely heard another name: listeria.

Carriers of Listeria
No, Listeria is not a beautiful Mediterranean island somewhere off of the coast of Greece. It’s actually the common name for a group of bacteria cultures called Listeria monocytogenes. It’s found not only in the environment (sewage, water, plants, air, soil), but in store-based food sources as well as in packaging. It can grow in heat or cold and actually survive in the refrigerator, and resists drying and freezing unlike many other pathogens. It’s been discovered surviving in 17 different species of birds and some fish and sea animals. But it’s especially fond of prepackaged meats and dairy items. Of course, that doesn't mean produce is safe. One of the largest Listeria outbreaks was due to tainted cantaloupe.

Due to its extreme survival skills, many humans can be carriers of the bacteria without even knowing it. Listeriosis, however, is the disease that leads to mass outbreaks from the bacteria itself. If you’re healthy, have a strong immune system, are not pregnant, and do not have any cellular illnesses (or happen to be taking specific medications to treat your ailments), you may never know you have Listeriosis. And therein lies the problem; because how many people remain healthy throughout their lifetime? Therefore, only about 5% of adults will be long term carriers of the bacteria without eventually suffering side effects of the disease.

Symptoms of Listeria
Like the flu or even a common cold, most food poisoning begins the same way. Muscle aches, fever or chills, nausea, diarrhea, muscle stiffness and headaches are basic signs something’s amiss. But Listeria takes things further. As the bacteria grows, it can affect your balance, cause confusion or difficulty with attentiveness, and even lead to convulsions.

People who are pregnant and have lower immunity have higher risks at developing severe symptoms. And once they’re there, they’re tough to shake. Even if the mother is only mildly ill, a baby can be stillborn if the mother carries Listeria in her system during pregnancy. Newborns can contract the disease through their mothers via birth or nursing. Symptoms that they’re carriers may include disinterest in feeding, fever, vomiting, and irritability. Of course, in most cases, that’s simply a baby being a baby. Your child’s doctor can run simple tests that will verify the source of the problem, if one exists.

Most Listeria symptoms are mild and die out over a short period of time. However, the bacteria can eventually lead to severe conditions or diseases such as Sepsis and Meningitis. A good rule of thumb is to just get checked out by your physician if you experience any of the above symptoms.

Containment and Control of Listeria
Of course, like most other bacteria, Listeria can be contained and controlled to avoid the potential disastrous outbreaks. In the event that factories and quality control is implemented, putting the consumer above profit, pharmaceutical microbiology is called in to save the day.

Using rapid microbiological methods and specialized microbiology instruments, testing can be performed overnight and clear results may be available within hours. In the event of testing several pathogens and bacteria simultaneously; including Salmonella, Staph, and E.Coli; active Listeria cultures within test swabs typically outnumber all strains of Salmonella. This, again, is because Listeria is a stubborn critter that can survive practically any situation and thrives at any temperature.

The first run of microbial testing targets and destroys the majority of the bacterial strains that can potentially harm you and your loved ones. Further testing catches the rest. New food handling requirements aid in encouraging all factories to participate in mass microbiological testing, but the responsibility also falls on you. Make certain your food sources, primarily unpasteurized dairy and unprocessed meats, are properly handled and always go through the proper channels for bacterial testing.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about rapid microbiological testing methods for listeria.

Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
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