Listeria Food Poisoning Affects Cancer Victims More Than Any Other Group

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram positive, rod-shaped bacteria that was named after the father of modern antiseptic surgery, Joseph Lister. The bacteria are pretty rare, but the food-borne infection that it is commonly seen as can be serious. Twenty-five percent of Listeria infections are fatal, compared to a much lower percentage for the most common food-related infection: Salmonella.

A lot of the time you find Listeria bacteria growing inside of faulty refrigerators. It is hardy enough to withstand the low temperatures and contaminates the food by being in the moisture that is dripping off of the walls. That's why it's very important to keep all of the foods tightly covered in a big commercial refrigerator where the door is opened all of the time and condensation forms. There have been several outbreaks on cruise ships lately.

You would expect for people with compromised immune systems to be more susceptible to Listeria infection. But it may be surprising to know that cancer victims are even more susceptible. According to Medical News Today:

"Research by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has shown that cancer patients have a five-fold increased risk of developing listeria than people with other underlying conditions - and that those with cancers of the blood have the greatest risk. These findings are published in the journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases."

People with cancer had an almost 5% higher rate of infection with Listeria than those with the other conditions listed. Those with cancers of the blood had an almost 18% higher rate of infection.

Listeria also affects other groups with serious illness such as people who have AIDS, pregnant women and their babies, and the elderly and people with chronic illness or compromised immune systems.

Listeria is also found more in those who have diabetes, inflammatory disease of the colon such as Crohn's disease, and alcoholism. The number of cases of Listeria food poisoning has risen by 1% in Europe in the last year. Researchers don't know why that is so.

The researchers say that the people in the above groups should be shown ways to avoid Listeria food poisoning. They should even avoid the types of food that it is most commonly found in such as poultry, raw meats, ice cream, raw vegetables, raw and smoked fish and the green lip mussel.

Unpasteurized, or "raw" milk should also be avoided by these groups. Raw milk has become an "in" food nowadays, but it can be dangerous to certain groups that consume it.

The best way to avoid becoming infected with Listeria bacteria is to be aware of the kind of foods that it may be present in. Also, check the list of restaurant violations that are published in the newspapers to see if any of them have had Listeria outbreaks recently.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/211885.php