Listeriosis

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and is part of the normal flora of the distal portion of the intestinal tract of numerous animal species. Listeriosis is an emerging food borne disease that is responsible for approximately 1,700 cases of human illness each year and 650 deaths. Listeria is the cause of three main disease entities in animals and humans: neural, visceral, and reproductive. Clinical signs associated with the three forms are discussed along with diagnosis, therapy, prevention, and control.