Micro| Listeria Monocytogenes

3.07 Listeria Monocytogenes Microbiology review for the USMLE Step 1 exam Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular, aerobic, gram-positive rod that can cause foodborne illness It can live inside various types of cells, including epithelial cells, macrophages, and monocytes, and spreads from cell to cell through actin polymerization It is most commonly found in refrigerated deli meats and unpasteurized dairy products, and can cause gastroenteritis, meningitis, and premature labor/spontaneous abortion in immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and older or young individuals It is usually treated with ampicillin, but bactrim (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) can be used in cases of ampicillin allergy