Alternate plan of action for Listeria

An alternate path has been discovered for Listeria to be infected to enter the bloodstream. Generating more uncertainties within society, as forms of foodborne Listeria bacteria may now be considered more dangerous than we thought.

Listeria is often found in deli meat, hot dogs and dairy products.

The Listeria monocytogenes bacteria must cross the epithelial barrier which usually protects the bloodstream from deleterious pathogens, to infect someone. For that to happen, a protein called Internalin A, is required to break through that barrier.

According to Bhunia’s findings, reported in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, it was shown that Listeria adhesion protein (LAP) interacts with heat shock protein (HSP) in mice, resulting in the opening of epithelial cells hence giving access to internalise in the bloodstream. When LAP interacts with HSP, those cells move apart, not only giving the bacterium access to the bloodstream, but also exposing the Internalin A receptors and allowing transport of Listeria monocytogenes into the bloodstream. Thus endangering us with many symptoms such as Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance as well as convulsions.

References

Purdue University . (2018, March 30). Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-alternate-path-listeria-sicken-people.html

Image retrieved from: https://reliawire.com/alternative-listeria-path/

Newly discovered Listeria species

A new Listeria species called Listeria costaricensis was found in the waters of an industrial drainage area in Costa Rica, province of Alajuela. It took 3 years worth of sample collections as well as in-depth research to successfully find a new species of Listeria. Consisting of 18 species is the bacterial genus Listeria. Among the 18 species, 2 of them are pathogenic to humans and animals. Through the consumption of contaminated food, Listeria monocytogenes, causes gastroenteritis, septicemia and central nervous system (CNS) infection. These diseases/infections commonly infect immunocompromised individuals and causes fetal and neonatal infection.  

Luckily, the new species Listeria costaricensis is a type of non-pathogenic bacteria, however, its discovery will definitely increase our understanding of the harmful potential of Listeria species that are pathogenic. “The discovery of Listeria costaricensis will allow comparisons with pathogenic Listeria species, in order to better understand the behavior and adaptations of these bacterial pathogens,” quoted by TEC biotechnologist Kattia Núñez.

References

Institut Pasteur. (2018, April 17). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180417130106.htm

Image retrieved from: https://www.elpais.cr/2018/02/22/cientificos-de-costa-rica-descubren-nueva-bacteria-que-no-es-danina/

 

Listeria in frozen vegetables again?

Following the previous blog entries about frozen vegetable, more of the products have been recalled from the UK supermarket stores due to concerns with the contamination of listeria.

Aldi, Lidl, Iceland, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, recalled a variety of frozen vegetable products last week because they possibly contain the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which causes Listeriosis. Lidl’s Greengrocers Carrots, Broccoli & Sweet Corn, Baby Carrots, Peas, Green Beans & Sweetcorn and Green Grocers Golden Vegetable Rice have been added to the list, in addition to the list of more than 40 items initially recalled.

The FSA (Food Safety Authority) warned that the product could be contaminated, and advised anyone who has purchased the item to return it to the store for a full refund.

Following the FSA, the symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes “can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhea”.

References

Morrison, C. (2018, July 9). Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/listeria-outbreak-frozen-vegetables-lidl-aldi-tesco-sainsburys-iceland-waitrose-a8438931.html

Image retrieved from: https://www.snopes.com/news/2018/07/07/uk-supermarkets-recall-frozen-vegetables-listeria-concerns/

 

Listeria in Frozen Broccoli?

The East Coast supermarket chain Stop & Shop which is owned by the Dutch company Ahold Delhaize, is recalling some frozen broccoli due to listeria concerns. A store sampled the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Food and Standards Division and were tested positive for listeria, according to Stop & Shop’s website.

Private Brands Frozen Broccoli Cuts with a March 15, 2020, best-by date is in the spotlight for contaminated listeria. Having to ingest them (based on CDC), Listeriosis symptoms would include fever, diarrhea, aches, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions where by they are depending on the individual and which affected body part.

Luckily, customers may return the frozen broccoli with a full refund.

References:

Meyer, Z., 2018. Stop & Shop recalls frozen broccoli due to listeria concerns. [Online]
Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/24/stop-shop-recalls-frozen-broccoli-due-to-listeria-concerns.html
[Accessed 29 5 2018].

Image retrieved from: https://stopandshop.com/

Maximilian Stock Ltd. | Getty Images. Image retrieved from: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/24/stop-shop-recalls-frozen-broccoli-due-to-listeria-concerns.html

Rockmelons imported from Australia

There was a significant drop in demand for rockmelons as there was a listeria infection outbreak in Australia. Singapore has called back all rockmelons coming from Australia as a precautionary measure as more listeria batches were exported here.

This outbreak killed 7 people and caused a miscarriage between 17 Jan 2018 and 6 April 2018. Unfortunately, MOH (Ministry of Health) said that 2 patients in Singapore had been infected with a listeria strain similar to the outbreak in Australia tied to rock melons. One of them recovered however, the other died due to an unrelated reason.

Listeria are bacteria that’s causing listeriosis which is also a form of food poisoning. These bacteria can be found in things like soil, water, faeces and food like rockmelon. Symptoms include diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort, which is then followed by fever and muscle aches. However, the good news is that, it can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

Despite the outbreak only affecting the rockmelons in Australia, many fruit stall businesses have been disrupted as many Singaporeans are still skeptical about the bacteria infected rockmelons even though they have imported the rockmelons from a different country (e.g. Japan, Malaysia) a lot of them still assume that all rockmelons are infected and are not willing to continue purchasing rock melons. Fortunately for the stall vendors, rock melons only account for 5% of their sales profit, so there’s still a ways to go before they are deeply affected by this catastrophe of a ride.

References:

J.Abu.Baker. (2018, April 18). Channelnews Asia . Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/significant-drop-in-demand-for-rockmelons-after-listeria-scare-10146824

(Ng, 2018) 2 Singapore patients infected by listeria bacteria strain similar to Australia outbreak: MOH on 16 April. Image retrieved from The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/2-singapore-patients-found-to-be-infected-by-listeria-bacteria-strain-similar-to

(Tay, 2018) Australian rock melons from listeria-linked source recalled in Singapore: AVA on 5 March. Image retrieved from The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rockmelons-sold-here-not-from-listeria-affected-australian-region-say-supermarkets