Human listeriosis comeback ode

Human listeriosis is a potentially fatal foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocitogenes. The first confirmed case was in 1929, while the first described large outbreaks occurred in the 1980s. Listeria is small, intracellular, non-capsulated, non-sporulating, betahemolytic, aerobic, and facultative anaerobic grampositive, motile bacilli. L. monocitogenes is ubiquitous and part of the fecal flora in humans, mammals, birds, and crustaceans. The chances of food contamination during any food production process are numerous. This research aimed to raise awareness about invasive infections caused by L. monocitogenes, persistently present in foods and the environment despite up-todate food safety measures. Since L. monocytogenes multiply intracellularly, infection control requires cell-mediated immunity; therefore immunocompromised patients, neonates, older people, and pregnant women are vulnerable to invasive listeriosis. Infection occurs sporadically or in outbreaks. Primary bacteremia is unusual, with high fever without specific symptoms and signs, and it may become prolonged and asymptomatic. Focal infections such as pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, meningitis, ophthalmitis, and cholecystitis infected prosthetic joints, localized internal abscesses, and granulomatous lesions in the liver and other organs have also been described. Febrile gastroenteritis may occur after ingestion of contaminated food. Listerial bacteremia during pregnancy can cause intrauterine infection, chorioamnionitis, premature labor, fetal death, or neonatal infections. In the past few years, an increasing rate of listeriosis has been reported in several European countries. The reported fatality rate has been around 30 percent in both risk and non-risk groups. The increased incidence of the disease could be associated with a higher presence of coexistent diseases, with treatments related to immunosuppression, and the increased survival of the population with serious health problems. The diagnosis is a challenge due to the incubation period and the different clinical manifestations. For proper diagnosis, L. monocytogenes should be isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, placenta, meconium, fetal gastrointestinal contents, and other normally sterile sites. Antibiotic treatment is fundamental as early as possible because of the severity of the disease and the high associated mortality. Crucial recognition of the most efficient strategies based on risk assessment from the food production to consumption stage is required to prevent the comeback of human listeriosis. The current reality is that listeriosis has a high mortality despite adequate and early treatment. In Europe, invasive listeriosis has been reported to be an infection of serious concern to public health considering its clinical severity (hospitalization rate > 90%) and high fatality rate (20% to 30%). The imperative is to reduce the incidence of human listeriosis. Focal and continuous education and a multidisciplinary approach are the key strategies to battle the human listeriosis comeback ode.