- Symptoms of listeriosis
- How transmission occurs
- How the diagnosis is made
- What is the treatment of listeriosis
- How to prevent and prevent listeriosis
Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can be found in soil, sludge and water, and can be transmitted through the consumption of water and contaminated foods, such as unpasteurized milk, cheese, vegetables, seafood and sausage.
The infection can often be asymptomatic, however the symptoms can appear in children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, since the immune system is compromised. The initial symptoms of listeriosis can be confused with those of the flu, since there is fever, body pain and chills, for example, however it is common for there to be body pain and diarrhea, for example.
To avoid this bacteria it is important to always wash your hands and food before consuming it, in addition it is indicated whenever there is confirmation of listeriosis, notify the health surveillance so that you can investigate the cause of the infection.
Symptoms of listeriosis
Listeria monocytogenes has a variable incubation time, that is, the time between contact with the bacteria and the appearance of the first symptoms can vary between 3 and 60 days. Symptoms vary according to the infected person, the symptoms being more severe when the immune system is weakened. The main symptoms of listeriosis are:
- Muscle pain; High fever, above 38ºC; Vomiting; Chills; Headache; Loss of appetite; Diarrhea; Mental confusion; Tiredness.
In more severe and rare cases, Listeria monocytogenes can spread through the bloodstream and reach the nervous system, where it can cause meningitis, which is an inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain. In addition, infection in pregnant women can be serious and result in the baby's death, premature birth or infection at the time of delivery.
How transmission occurs
Listeria monocytogenes can be found in various foods because of its ability to survive different temperatures and environmental conditions, especially lower temperatures, and huge pH variations. Therefore, it is able to survive the entire food processing and handling system.
The transmission of this infectious agent occurs mainly from the consumption of contaminated water and food, such as unpasteurized milk, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat, fish, smoked and frozen seafood, and sausages, such as sausage.
Although these foods may contain the bacterium, it does not mean that whenever they have this infectious agent or that when eating the food the person will be infected and have symptoms. The bacteria can also be found in soil, water and vegetation, so it is important to wash your hands and food before eating.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of listeriosis is made in the laboratory from the isolation of the microorganism. The bacterium can be isolated from various biological materials, including blood, CSF, amniotic fluid, placenta, gastric lavage or feces, depending on the symptoms and the doctor's indication.
What is the treatment of listeriosis
The treatment of listeriosis is done with the use of antibiotics, and it is usually recommended by the doctor to use Penicillin or Ampicillin associated with Aminoglycosides, such as Gentamicin. In case of allergy to Penicillin, the alternative is to use Sulfametoxazol-Trimetoprim, known as Bactrim.
How to prevent and prevent listeriosis
To avoid contamination by Listeria monocytogenes , it is important to adopt some hygiene measures, such as:
- Wash your hands before meals; Wash foods such as fruits and vegetables well before eating; Store food properly; Keep the refrigerator clean; Avoid consuming processed and unpasteurized foods.
Listeriosis in Brazil is an underreported disease, that is, when the bacterium is identified, health and epidemiological surveillance is not normally communicated, and it is not possible to investigate the source of contamination. Thus, as soon as the first symptoms appear and listeriosis is confirmed, it is advisable to inform the health surveillance so that effective preventive measures are implemented, such as interdiction of products and educational programs.
