Listeria
| Listeria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scanning electron micrograph of Listeria monocytogenes. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Listeria Pirie 1940
|
| Species | |
|
L. aquatica | |
Listeria is a genus of bacteria with about ten species. It is named after Joseph Lister. Listeria are very common, they occur almost everywhere. Two of the ten species are pathogens: they can cause a disease called listeriosis in decaying food.
In 2011, 21 people died from listeriosis by eating cantaloupes from a Colorado farm. In 1998, hot dogs and possibly deli meats made by Bil Mar Foods, a subsidiary of Sara Lee Corp., also had listeria and killed 21 people. In 1985, listeria in Mexican-style soft cheese was linked to 52 deaths.[1]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "21 deaths now linked to listeria in cantaloupe, new deaths reported in Indiana, New York". Washington Post. Associated Press. October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.[permanent dead link]
