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Fetal Development and Maternal Diet
Published in Praveen S. Goday, Cassandra L. S. Walia, Pediatric Nutrition for Dietitians, 2022
Pregnancy’s effect on a mother’s immune system decreases its ability to fight foodborne illness. Listeria monocytogenes (foodborne illness) and Toxoplasma gondii (found in cat feces) are two organisms that can pass to an unborn child if the mother is affected. Pregnant women are ten times more likely than the general population to be affected by listeriosis. If infected with Listeria, a pregnant woman may remain asymptomatic or experience only mild flu-like symptoms. However, Listeria has been linked with miscarriage, infants born SGA, and neonatal sepsis. Cooking meats, fish, and poultry until well done to prevent Listeria is recommended. Other sources of Listeria include unpasteurized milk, unheated hot dogs or luncheon meats, imported or unpasteurized soft cheeses, and smoked seafood.
Neurology
Published in Kaji Sritharan, Jonathan Rohrer, Alexandra C Rankin, Sachi Sivananthan, Essential Notes for Medical and Surgical Finals, 2021
Kaji Sritharan, Jonathan Rohrer, Alexandra C Rankin, Sachi Sivananthan
MANAGEMENT Prompt empirical antibiotic treatment (usually with a third genera tion cephalosporin) for presumed bacterial meningitis is essential. Studies have shown concurrent treatment with dexamethasone may also be beneficial. If Listeria is suspected amoxicillin or ampicillin should be added in. Further treatment is supportive.
Meningitis
Published in Firza Alexander Gronthoud, Practical Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2020
The majority of community acquired bacterial meningitis cases are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis. Haemophilus influenzae has become a much less frequent cause since the introduction of the H. influenzae type b conjugate vaccines. The overall efficacy of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against pneumococcal meningitis is about 50%. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B) and Escherichia coli are the main causes of neonatal meningitis. Listeria monocytogenes can be seen in patients aged 50 years or older. Its incidence is decreasing, presumably due to better awareness, increased hygiene and a decrease in food contamination.
Differential effects of magnesium, calcium, and sodium on Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation
Published in Biofouling, 2022
Saili Chalke, Sinisa Vidovic, Graham C. Fletcher, Jon Palmer, Steve Flint
Listeria monocytogenes poses a serious threat to the food industry and public health. It causes a life-threatening illness known as listeriosis. Almost 99% of listeriosis is caused by contaminated food. The ability of L. monocytogenes to persist in food processing facilities and resist cleaning regimes makes it not only difficult to manage but also challenging economically. The persistence of L. monocytogenes may be linked to its biofilm-forming capability (Møretrø and Langsrud 2004). Biofilms can form a reservoir of cells able to enter the human food chain so understanding biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes is very important. Biofilms are comprised of various components including live and dead cells, and extracellular polymeric substances like carbohydrates, lipids, and eDNA. The composition varies according to the environmental conditions and genetic background of the L. monocytogenes strain. In this research project, one environmental factor was studied, cations, examining the effect of magnesium, calcium, and sodium on biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes. The effect of these cations on planktonic cells and the initial stages of biofilm formation was also investigated.
Endogenous Endophthalmitis Caused by Isolated Listeria Monocytogenes Infection
Published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2021
Kevin Smeets, Rita Van Ginderdeuren, Joachim Van Calster
The diagnosis of an endogenous Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis is uncommon and often unexpected, especially in patients presenting with asymptomatic bacteremia and no further medical history, frequently causing a delay in diagnosis.15 A review by Chersich et al. estimated a median lag time of 8 days from patient presentation to diagnosis.2 Endophthalmitis by Listeria monocytogenes follows a protracted course in most cases, however, fulminant presentations have been described.15 Presence of Listeria monocytogenes can be demonstrated by a Gram stain, PCR or culture. Bajor et al. suggested a greater sensitivity of culture of ocular samples, compared to a directly performed Gram stain or blood culture.4 In this reported case, the pathogen was also confirmed by culture of aqueous humor, emphasizing the importance of microbiological analysis and the equal importance of both aqueous and vitreous samples in the diagnosis of endophthalmitis. Panbacterial PCR has been proven to be an excellent technique. In this patient, it was performed on vitreous sample, however with the absence of a positive result. The results of the PCR and culture of vitreous might be false negative because the vitreous was sampled the day after the intravitreal injection of vancomycin. Unfortunately, no PCR test was executed on aqueous humor. AC tap and subsequent PCR might be considered, as these are readily available and reported to result in a favorable clinical outcome.16
Eat clean and safe food: a food-based dietary guideline for the elderly in South Africa
Published in South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2021
Makenzie Miller, Wilna Oldewage-Theron, Carin Napier
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found a higher incidence of people infected with Vibrio, Yersenia and Listeria species in people 60 years and older.5Vibrio species, often present in raw or undercooked seafood and shellfish, was also identified as a burdensome disease agent in the AFRICAN E subregion.1, 40 The burden of Yersinia species in Africa, however, remains unknown.1Listeria can be found in a variety of cold, ready-to-eat foods, such as pre-made sandwiches, pâté, butter, soft, mould-ripened cheeses, cooked, sliced meats and smoked salmon; contamination cannot be detected with sense of smell, taste or sight. The prevalence of Listeria infection has increased dramatically in recent years, especially in the 65 years and older age group.38 In fact, the world’s largest reported outbreak of Listeria recently occurred in SA.41 Caused by contamination of ready-to-eat processed meat products, the outbreak resulted in a total of 1060 reported cases of listeriosis between January 1, 2017 and July 17, 2018.41 According to the last situation report published before the outbreak was declared officially over in September 2018, of all age groups, adults 65 years and older experienced the highest proportion of confirmed deaths per total reported cases.42–43