Listeriosis

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. The disease is characterized by a rapid onset of abortion, septicemia, or meningoencephalitis. Death tends to follow 24 to 48 hours after initial onset of clinical signs.

Listeriosis should be treated aggressively and promptly. Listeriosis can also be transmitted to humans since it is a zoonotic disease. While cases of human listeriosis are rare, mortality rates can be as high as 50 percent, and there is the risk of abortion for pregnant women who contract the bacteria.