listeriosis

noun

lis·​te·​ri·​o·​sis li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce listeriosis (audio)
plural listerioses li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-ˌsēz How to pronounce listeriosis (audio)
: 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

Examples of listeriosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Listeria bacteria—which cause a foodborne illness called listeriosis—is nothing to play with. Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 21 Nov. 2023 An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die from the infection. Korin Miller, Health, 7 Feb. 2024 An estimated 1,600 Americans get listeriosis each year and about 260 die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024 The germ can cause listeriosis, a serious infection most likely to sicken pregnant women, infants, those 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2024 In that case, listeriosis can trigger flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle aches, and even seizures or confusion in severe cases. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 19 Jan. 2024 Listeria, or listeriosis, is an infection that results from eating contaminated food. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, USA TODAY, 4 June 2022 People typically develop listeriosis after eating contaminated food, though pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick. Korin Miller, Health.com, 23 Dec. 2021 Here's what to know about the Listeria infection outbreak, and what symptoms are associated with listeriosis. Korin Miller, Health, 21 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listeriosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of listeriosis was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near listeriosis

Cite this Entry

“Listeriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeriosis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

listeriosis

noun
lis·​te·​ri·​o·​sis (ˌ)lis-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce listeriosis (audio)
variants also listerellosis
plural listerioses also listerelloses -ˌsēz How to pronounce listeriosis (audio)
: 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 flu-like 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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