The global burden of listeriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Summary Background Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is an important foodborne disease that can be difficult to control and commonly results in severe clinical outcomes. We aimed to provide the first estimates of global numbers of illnesses, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to listeriosis, by synthesising information and knowledge through a systematic review. Methods We retrieved data on listeriosis through a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature (published in 1990–2012). We excluded incidence data from before 1990 from the analysis. We reviewed national surveillance data where available. We did a multilevel meta-analysis to impute missing country-specific listeriosis incidence rates. We used a meta-regression to calculate the proportions of health states, and a Monte Carlo simulation to generate DALYs by WHO subregion. Findings We screened 11 722 references and identified 87 eligible studies containing listeriosis data for inclusion in the meta-analyses. We estimated that, in 2010, listeriosis resulted in 23 150 illnesses (95% credible interval 6061–91 247), 5463 deaths (1401–21 497), and 172 823 DALYs (44 079–676 465). The proportion of perinatal cases was 20·7% (SD 1·7). Interpretation Our quantification of the global burden of listeriosis will enable international prioritisation exercises. The number of DALYs due to listeriosis was lower than those due to congenital toxoplasmosis but accords with those due to echinococcosis. Urgent efforts are needed to fill the missing data in developing countries. We were unable to identify incidence data for the AFRO, EMRO, and SEARO WHO regions. Funding WHO Foodborne Diseases Epidemiology Reference Group and the Université catholique de Louvain.

An overview of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat meat, dairy and fishery foods

“…In a meta-analysis studied conducted by NOORDHOUT et al (2014), it was estimated that only in 2010, about 23,150 people were stricken by listeriosis in the world, resulting in 5,463 deaths. Most reported listeriosis outbreaks occurred in Europe, Canada, United States and, in lesser extent, in Australia and New Zealand (TODD & NOTERMANS, 2011).…”

“…In 1981, an outbreak in Canada was first associated with the presence of this pathogen in foods, encouraging the development of research on the ubiquitous features of the microrganism and its pathogenicity (TODD & NOTERMANS, 2011). Since then, it is considered an important bacterium in public health, responsible for foodborne disease that despite the low incidence, has a high mortality rate among affected individuals (CARTWRIGHT et al, 2013;COSSART & LEBRETON, 2014;NOORDHOUT et al, 2014).…”

Crystal Structure of the Substrate-Binding Domain from Listeria monocytogenes Bile-Resistance Determinant BilE

“…Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes listeriosis, a potentially fatal disease which imposes a significant global burden [1]. Infection usually occurs via contaminated food, in particular ready-to-eat varieties [2,3].…”

Determination of Listeria monocytogenes numbers at less than 10 cfu/g

“…Due to the lack of cooking, or similar bacterial inactivation step, L. monocytogenes can persist in ready-to-eat food. L. monocytogenes represents a problem in the food industry because this ubiquitous bacterium is a causative agent of listeriosis, a disease that can be particularly severe, and even fatal, in high-risk groups, such as the elderly, neonates and the immunocompromised, with a mortality rate of 25% worldwide (de Noordhout et al, 2014). The genus Listeria includes many different species, including…”