<i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> today

Abstract

The epidemiological surveillance of listeriosis remains an urgent problem for Russia, especially in the metropolitan areas. The Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which causes the infectious disease listeriosis, is a foodborne pathogen and widespread in nature. Ready-to-eat foods are particularly dangerous because no heat treatment or other antimicrobial action is performed between their production and consumption. Newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are highly susceptible to listeriosis. The timely detection of L. monocytogenes in foodstuffs during the manufacturing and storage phases is important both for food processing and catering companies and for public health.