What does listeria mean?
Listeria is the common name for bacteria in the genus Listeria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes. These bacteria occur in soil, water, animals, and food and can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that affects pregnant people, older adults, infants, and people with weakened immune systems. Human infection usually results from eating contaminated food, especially refrigerated ready-to-eat products, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized dairy products. The term is used both for an individual bacterium and, informally, for the group of bacteria as a whole. In scientific writing, the genus name is capitalized and italicized, while the common lowercase form is appropriate for the organism or contamination. Although listeriosis is relatively uncommon, its possible severity and the ability of the bacteria to grow in refrigerated conditions make prevention and prompt diagnosis important.
nounA bacterium of the genus Listeria, especially Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause foodborne illness known as listeriosis. The term may also refer to the genus as a whole.
- Any of various bacteria in the genus Listeria, especially the species L. monocytogenes that causes listeriosis.
- The bacterial genus Listeria, consisting of Gram-positive bacteria found widely in nature.
"The food was recalled after tests detected listeria contamination."
"The laboratory confirmed that the patient’s infection was caused by listeria."
"Listeria is commonly associated with contaminated ready-to-eat foods, including deli meats and soft cheeses."
The plural is uncommon; in scientific writing, the taxonomic genus is normally treated as a singular taxonomic name.
"The samples were tested for listerias before the products were released."
Listeria can grow in refrigerated food, making proper storage alone no guarantee of safety.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does listeria come from?
The name Listeria was created in honor of the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who pioneered antiseptic surgery in the nineteenth century. The bacterial genus was named in the 1940s during a period of major advances in microbiology and infectious-disease research. The related English terms listerial and listeriosis follow the established scientific name and refer respectively to characteristics associated with Listeria and to the disease caused by infection with it.
Related word forms
How listeria is actually used
In general writing, “listeria” is lowercase when referring to the bacteria or the illness-causing organism; the taxonomic genus name is normally capitalized and italicized. “Listeria monocytogenes” should likewise be italicized in scientific contexts.