Listeriosis News and Research

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Listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, has recently been recognized as an important public health problem in the United States. The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also rarely be affected. The risk may be reduced by following a few simple recommendations.

Immunologists uncover the immune system's unknown messenger

A novel messenger which alarms nearby cells when the immune system recognizes infections has been uncovered by immunologists from Aarhus University, Denmark. This knowledge will help fighting infections and autoimmune diseases.

26 Feb 2019

Michigan-based food manufacturer ordered to discontinue operations after recurrent food safety violations

A federal court ordered a Michigan-based food manufacturer to discontinue selling food products until the company complies with federal regulations and other requirements.

18 Dec 2018

Takeda presents vedolizumab phase 3 VISIBLE 1 trial results for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced results from the phase 3 VISIBLE 1 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of an investigational subcutaneous formulation of the gut-selective biologic vedolizumab for maintenance therapy in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who achieved clinical response* at week 6 following two doses of open-label vedolizumab intravenous induction therapy.

22 Oct 2018

Current surveillance system does not quickly pick up most listeriosis cases in the EU, study reveals

More than half of the severe listeriosis cases in the European Union belong to clusters, many of which are not being picked up fast enough by the current surveillance system, suggests a new article published in Eurosurveillance.

20 Aug 2018

New proteomics studies help gain more insights into Alzheimer's, cancer and listeriosis

The brains of people with Alzheimer's disease contain many protein aggregates outside of cells, known as plaques. These are mainly made of the peptide amyloid-beta, which is released from the plasma membrane when the protease BACE1 cleaves its membrane-anchored precursor protein.

19 Jul 2018

Students propose revision of listeriosis guidelines for safer pregnancy

In an effort to sustain and educate the next generation of food safety experts in the United States, Dr. Bob Buchanan of the University of Maryland has served as a scientific mentor to a pair of academically accelerated high school students who are challenging the current food avoidance recommendations for pregnant women as established by the CDC and ACOG.

25 May 2018

Declining trend of salmonellosis cases has leveled off in the EU

The declining trend of salmonellosis cases in the European Union has leveled off according to the annual report on zoonotic diseases published today.

13 Dec 2017

Scientists study behavior of Listeria monocytogenes during asymptomatic infection

Listeriosis is a disease caused by eating foods that have been contaminated by the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium.

1 Dec 2017

Bacteria release membrane-derived vesicles that may have different functions during infection

Bacteria release membrane-derived vesicles (MVs), which are small particles that can transport virulence factors to neighboring bacteria or to the cells of a mammalian host. This special MV-based system for delivering toxic proteins and nucleic acids in a protected manner to the target cells may have different specific functions depending on whether the bacterium acts as an extracellular or intracellular pathogen.

18 Sep 2017

Healthy fatty acids can suppress dangerous listeria bacterium

Certain fatty acids are not just part of a healthy diet. They can also neutralize the harmful listeria bacterium, a new study shows. This discovery could eventually lead to improved methods to combat dangerous and drug-resistant bacteria.

22 May 2017

Potentially lethal listeria bacteria can persist inside tissue of romaine lettuce, study shows

A Purdue University study shows that the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes can live inside the tissue of romaine lettuce, suggesting that conventional post-harvest sanitization practices might not be sufficient to kill the potentially lethal pathogen.

29 Mar 2017

ECDC report finds increasing trend of Listeria infections among elderly population

Listeriosis affected about 2,200 people in 2015, causing 270 deaths - the highest number ever reported in the EU.

17 Dec 2016

Malaysian scientists join forces with Harvard experts to help revolutionize lung disease treatment

Malaysian scientists are joining forces with Harvard University experts to help revolutionize the treatment of lung diseases -- the delivery of nanomedicine deep into places otherwise impossible to reach.

12 Jan 2016

New research explores underlying mechanisms by which bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance genes

A scientific peek into bacteria boudoirs is revealing how "sex" among disease-causing microbes can lead different species or strains to become resistant to antibiotic medications.

18 Aug 2015

UCB sponsoring several presentations on Cimzia for Crohn's disease at DDW 2015

UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company focusing on immunology and neurology treatment and research, is sponsoring several data presentations on Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) at Digestive Disease Week 2015, taking place in Washington, DC from May 16-19.

17 May 2015

Full range of Lab M media for detection and isolation of Listeria shown together for the first time

The document, ‘Listeria solutions… whatever your method’, clearly shows that whichever testing method users subscribe to, whatever the lab size, and whether they prefer dehydrated culture media...

8 May 2015

Standard cleaning procedures in retail delis may not eradicate Listeria pathogen, study shows

Purdue University research shows that standard cleaning procedures in retail delis may not eradicate Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can cause a potentially fatal disease in people with vulnerable immune systems.

11 Feb 2015

Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in foods may cause abortions, meningitis

The results of the research conducted in the ICAS Culiacán reveal that at least 10 percent of the fresh cheese, sausages and meats sold in markets and on the street may be contaminated.

19 Aug 2014

Researchers release evidence substantiating unexpected dual role of immune system

University of Leicester researchers have released evidence substantiating an unexpected dual role of an important component of the immune system.

17 Jul 2014

UCB, Dermira enter into licensing agreement for development, commercialization of Cimzia

UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader, and Dermira, Inc., a privately held US-based dermatology company, announced today that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and future commercialization of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) in dermatology.

3 Jul 2014