listeriosis
noun
lis·te·ri·o·sis
li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-səs 
plural listerioses
li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-ˌsēz
: a serious encephalitic disease of a wide variety of animals that is caused by a bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) and that in animals is often fatal but in humans is usually not fatal
Examples of listeriosis in a Sentence
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Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness, that can cause listeriosis, which primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
—
Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
In this latter group, a Listeria infection—also called listeriosis—can sometimes lead to miscarriages or stillbirth.2
In less serious cases, Listeria can cause intestinal illness, including vomiting and diarrhea.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of the serious illness occur sporadically and concerns of contamination by the bacteria are a common cause of food product recalls.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
She was born with a condition known as hydrocephalus, which doctors said was caused by a listeriosis infection that her mother contracted while pregnant.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
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Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
In this latter group, a Listeria infection—also called listeriosis—can sometimes lead to miscarriages or stillbirth.2
In less serious cases, Listeria can cause intestinal illness, including vomiting and diarrhea.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of the serious illness occur sporadically and concerns of contamination by the bacteria are a common cause of food product recalls.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
She was born with a condition known as hydrocephalus, which doctors said was caused by a listeriosis infection that her mother contracted while pregnant.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listeriosis
Cite this Entry
“Listeriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeriosis. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
listeriosis
noun
lis·te·ri·o·sis
(ˌ)lis-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs
variants
also listerellosis
plural listerioses also listerelloses
-ˌsēz
: a serious disease of animals and humans that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Listeria (L. monocytogenes), that in animals causes severe encephalitis accompanied by disordered movements and is often fatal, that is contracted by humans especially from contaminated food (as processed meats or unpasteurized milk or cheese), that in otherwise healthy people typically takes the form of a mild flu-like illness or has no noticeable symptoms, that in neonates, the elderly, and the immunocompromised often causes serious sometimes fatal illness with symptoms including meningitis and sepsis, and that in pregnant women usually causes only mild illness in the mother but often results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth see circling disease
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