Listeriosis

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Etiology/Bacteriology

Taxonomy

Domain: Bacteria
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Bacilli
Order: Bacillales
Family: Listeriaceae
Genus: Listeria
Species: monocytogenes

Description

Listeria are gram positive facultative anaerobes observed to be bacilli in short chains. If a direct sample is observed under the microscope, Listeria can resemble cocci shapes and can be mistaken for streptococci. All species produce flagella at room temperature but do not express it at 37 degrees Celsius. These non-spore forming, catalase positive bacteria are found in soil, sewage, stream water and animal carriers.

Pathogenesis

Virulence factors

1. Adhesion to the surface of mammalian cells. Close interaction between host cells and L. monocytogenes makes invasion possible. Numerous surface adhesion factors allow the pathogen to connect to host cells.

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References

1. Conway, Tyrrell. “Genus conway”. “Microbe Wiki” 2013. Volume 1. p. 1-2.
2. http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/
3. D Cabanes, et al. "The Arsenal Of Virulence Factors Deployed By Listeria Monocytogenes To Promote Its Cell Infection Cycle." Virulence 2.5 (n.d.): 379-394. Science Citation Index. Web. 14 July 2013.

Created by Danielle Vinnedge, Naomi Quillin, Jennifer Gallup, students of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma.