Abstract
In November 2016, an elderly patient was diagnosed with Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia in Finland. Grocery store loyalty card records and microbiological investigation of foods found in the home fridge and freezer of the patient revealed commercial, modified-atmosphere packaged meatballs as the source of the infection. Investigation of the meatball production plant revealed that the floor drain samples were contaminated with the same L. monocytogenes strain as those isolated from the patient and meatballs. Ready-to-eat meatballs were likely contaminated after heat treatment from the production environment before packaging. Long-term cold storage, modified-atmosphere conditions, and the absence of competing bacteria presumably enhanced the growth of L. monocytogenes. We recommend that collection of shopping details and home fridge and freezer sampling should be part of surveillance of all cases of L. monocytogenes infections to complement information obtained from in-depth interviews.
Highlights
Listeriosis is a severe, mainly foodborne infectious disease [1]
Trace Back of Foods and L. monocytogenes Isolates Recovered From Food and the Food Production Environment
Commercial, modified-atmosphere packaged meatballs stored in the home freezer of a patient were identified as a vehicle for human listeriosis
Summary
Listeriosis is a severe, mainly foodborne infectious disease [1]. Susceptible populations include the immunocompromised, newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly [5]. An increasing trend in human listeriosis has been observed in the EU since 2008 and the majority of cases are reported in persons >64 years old [6]. This is probably due to increases in both the aging and immunocompromised populations and the increased use of risk foods such as ready-toeat (RTE) foods with modified-atmosphere packaging and extended durability [6,7,8]. The course of illness is often severe; most patients develop sepsis or meningitis and the mortality is approximately
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
