NAME : NOR ASHIKIN ISMAIL

ID : A2863
TITLE : LISTERIOSIS IS ONE OF INFECTION THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH

Malaysia make a paradigm shift to a developed country and hope to achieve

developed nation status by 2020. Among the problems associated with the developed
countries is the foodborne diseases and can affect the health of the population. One of the
leading causes of death in Malaysia is foodborne diseases. According to Wikipedia,
foodborne illness (also foodborne disease and colloquially referred to as food poisoning) is
any illness resulting from the consumption of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria,
parasites that contaminate food, or viruses, as well as chemical or natural toxins such as
poisonous mushrooms. Listeriosis is an example of the infection that usually develops after
eating food contaminated by bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes, normally known as
Listeria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clifton Rd Atlanta state that, Listeriosis is
an infection caused by a gram-positive motile bacterium named Listeria monocytogenes. The
infection produces muscle aches, fever, and, in many people, diarrhea. Severe infections can
trigger headaches, convulsions, meningitis, and death. Listeria bacteria can be found in water,
soil, and animal feces. Humans naturally are infected by consuming raw vegetables that have
been contaminated from the soil or from contaminated manure used as fertilizer, infected
meat, unpasteurized milk or foods made with unpasteurized milk, certain processed foods
such as deli meats, soft cheeses, and hot dogs that have been contaminated after processing.
Then, unborn babies can contract a Listeria infection from the mother via the placenta.
Breastfeeding is not considered a potential cause of infection (Mayo Clinic, 22 March 2011).
An occurrence of Listeria in cantaloupe is now connected to 23 deaths, making it the
deadliest known occurrence of foodborne illness in the U.S. exceeding 25 years. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention said that 116 people have been sickened in the outbreak,
together with those who died. The number of deaths has now exceeded a 1998 occurrence of
Listeria in processed meats that was linked to 21 deaths. A 1985 Listeria occurrence in
Mexican-style soft cheeses killed 52 people. They describe a nationwide outbreak of
listeriosis linked to contaminated frankfurters and deli meats made in a single facility. With

those reported cases, this is the second biggest outbreak of listeriosis in US history. The
outbreak investigation joint for the first time molecular subtyping of L. monocytogenes
isolates and an epidemiological approach in which patients infected with non-outbreak strains
assisted as controls. Discoveries from the investigation helped prompt new regulations for the
control of Listeria in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in the United States (NHS UK,
23 May 2013).

According to the article in (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), the incidence of listeriosis

during pregnancy is 12 over 100,000, compared with a rate of 0.7 per 100,000 in the general
populace. Patients with comorbidities, such as a history of splenectomy, human
immunodeficiency virus infection, steroid use, diabetes, or use of immunosuppressive
medications, are at an increased risk of listerial infection due to a decrease in cell-mediated
immunity. Whereas maternal illness is mild and sometimes asymptomatic, fetal and neonatal
infection is severe and frequently fatal, with a case fatality rate of 20% to 30%. In addition,
about 1,600 cases annually in the United States. Compared to 1996-1998, the occurrence of
listeriosis had declined by about 38% by 2003(redorbit.com). However, illnesses and deaths
continue to happen. On average from 1998-2008, 2.2 outbreaks per year were stated to CDC.
Before 2011, the biggest outbreak happened in 2002, when 3 fetal deaths, 8 deaths, and 54
illnesses in 9 states were found to be associated with consumption of contaminated turkey
deli meat. The main route of transmission is through oral ingestion of contaminated food.
Other routes include mother to fetus via the placenta or at birth. The infectious dose is
unknown. The infection may be passed from a pregnant woman, to her fetus. Listeria cannot
be directly transmitted from one person to another (Stephen J. Schuele, 24 March 2009).
There are several of the symptoms of the listeriosis. A person with listeriosis usually
has muscle aches and fever, sometimes headed by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal
symptoms. Approximately everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has "invasive"
infection, which is the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract. According to the
American Pregnancy Association, the symptoms differ with the infected person such as
pregnant women and persons other than pregnant women. Pregnant women usually
experience fever and other non-specific symptoms, such as aches and fatigue. However,
infections during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, miscarriage, life-threatening infection of
the newborn, or premature delivery. While persons other than pregnant women tend to get

muscle aches and fever, can include headache, stiff neck, convulsions, confusion, and loss of
balance. Listeriosis can present in different ways depending on the type of infection.
Appearances of listeriosis are host-dependent. In persons with immunocompromising
conditions and older adults, meningitis and septicaemia are the most common clinical
presentations. In addition, pregnant women may experience a fever and other non-specific
symptoms, such as aches and fatigue, followed by bacteremia or fetal loss and meningitis in
their newborns. Immunocompetent persons may undergo acute febrile gastroenteritis or no
symptoms. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Most Listeria infections don't need specific treatment, as the symptoms usually pass
within three days. Usually, Listeriosis is treated by antibiotics. An individual in a high-risk
category who experiences fever and other non-specific symptoms, such as aches and fatigue,
within 2 months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the physician
or health care provider about eating the contaminated food. If a person eats food
contaminated with Listeria and does not have any indications, most experts trust that no
treatment or tests are required, even for persons at high risk for listeriosis (US National
Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health). But even with prompt healing, certain
listeriosis cases cause of death. This is predominantly likely in older adults and in persons
with other serious medical problems. The general guidelines recommended for the prevention
of listeriosis are similar to those used to help prevent other foodborne illnesses, such as
salmonellosis. Besides, there are specific suggestions for persons at higher risk for listeriosis.
First of all, wash raw produce, such as vegetables and fruits, thoroughly under running tap
water before cutting, cooking, or eating. Even if the produce will be peeled, it should still be
washed first. Then, scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce
brush. Next, dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel. You also need to separate
uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
Moreover, keep your kitchen and environment cleaner and safer (World Health Organization).
Wash hands, countertops, knives, and cutting boards after preparing and handling uncooked
foods. Besides, cook meat and poultry thoroughly. It is advised to store foods safely and
choose safer foods. While the recommendations for persons at greater risk, such as pregnant
women, people with weakened immune systems, and older adults as well to the suggestions
listed such as do not eat luncheon meats, hot dogs, other deli meats (e.g., bologna), cold cuts
or fermented or dry sausages unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165F or

until steaming hot just before serving. Then, do not eat soft cheese such as queso blanco, feta,
queso fresco, Camembert, brie, or panela (queso panela) or blue-veined unless it is labeled as
made with pasteurized milk. The most significant is do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood,
except it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, or unless it is a canned or shelfstable product (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clifton Rd Atlanta, 3 October
2011)
Last but not least, health is the most important element in life. Without good health,
daily tasks may not be completed properly. We need to do something to prevent bacteria
infection. Proactive measures need to be taken by the government and non-government with a
more effective way as to enhance the awareness campaigns . Therefore, we must be prepared
to face and this is consistent with the Malay proverb, "prepared for a rainy day". Failure to
act promptly will see our society for disease-prone diseases can also have an adverse impact.
Finally, I want to stress here that a healthy lifestyle should be a culture to ensure happiness in
our lives. So, every individual must take proactive measures to stay alive with happy because
health symbolizes happiness. If steps are not taken, of course, the desire to create a healthy
and vibrant community will not be realized.
(1388 Words)

References
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[Accessed on 4 July 2013]
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