listeriosis

play

noun lis·te·ri·o·sis \ li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-səs \

Definition of listeriosis

plural listerioses play \li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-ˌsēz\

:a serious encephalitic disease of a wide variety of animals that is caused by a bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) and that in animals is often fatal but in humans is usually not fatal

Recent Examples of listeriosis from the Web

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1,600 people get listeriosis every year, and about 260 die from the infection.

— victoria knight, CNN, "Hummus with pine nuts recalled over possible listeria contamination," 22 June 2017
An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "A small company has a big listeria problem," 18 June 2017
About 1,600 cases of listeriosis are reported in the United States every year, and about 260 are fatal.

— jen christensen, CNN, "Macadamia nuts, cashews recalled for possible listeria contamination," 30 May 2017
Listeriosis symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, loss of balance, gastrointestinal issues and confusion.

— mahita gajanan, Fortune, "Horton Fruit Recalls Spinach Over Listeria Concerns," 15 May 2017
In 2015, Blue Bell Creameries shut down all three of its ice cream factories, laid off 1,450 employees and put another 1,400 on furlough after its products were linked to three deaths and several cases of listeriosis in four states.

— max b. baker, star-telegram.com, "Tarrant mom sues Blue Bell over listeria-laced ice cream," 11 May 2017
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), common symptoms of listeriosis include headache, stiff neck, confusion, fever and muscle aches.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Popular Frozen Pizza From Walmart Recalled for Listeria," 17 Mar. 2017
About 1,600 people in the U.S. get listeriosis annually, about 260 die.

— kieran nicholson, The Denver Post, "Deli meats served at Dion’s restaurants recalled over listeria concerns," 9 Jan. 2017
Rather, Canadian public health officials investigating an outbreak of listeriosis dating to summer 2015, tested bagged Dole salads and found four varieties that were contaminated.

— stephanie strom, New York Times, "Dole Knew About Listeria Problem at Salad Plant, F.D.A. Report Says," 29 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'listeriosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of listeriosis

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1941

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

listeriosis

play

noun lis·te·ri·o·sis \ (ˌ)lis-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs \

variants: also listerellosis play \ˌlis-tə-rə-ˈlō-səs\

medical Definition of listeriosis

plural listerioses also -loses play \-ˌsēz\

:a serious disease of animals and humans that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Listeria (L. monocytogenes), that in animals causes severe encephalitis accompanied by disordered movements and is often fatal, that is contracted by humans especially from contaminated food (as processed meats or unpasteurized milk or cheese), that in otherwise healthy people typically takes the form of a mild flulike illness or has no noticeable symptoms, that in neonates, the elderly, and the immunocompromised often causes serious sometimes fatal illness with symptoms including meningitis and sepsis, and that in pregnant women usually causes only mild illness in the mother but often results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth — see circling disease

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listeriosis

Definition of listeriosis

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Origin and Etymology of listeriosis

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listeriosis

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