Listeria monocytogenes Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes based on the lecture transcript.

Listeria monocytogenes

A bacterial pathogen that grows in spoiled silage at elevated pH and cold temperatures, causing neurological signs, placentitis, late-term abortion, and stillbirth in silage-fed cattle.

Listeriosis Unilateral Neurological Signs

Clinical signs including propulsive circling, proprioceptive deficits, unilateral tongue weakness, facial nerve paralysis (such as ear and eyelid droop), head tilt, nystagmus, strabismus, and drooling.

Listeriosis CSF Profile

Cerebrospinal fluid findings characterized by increased mononuclear cells and high protein.

Listeriosis Definitive Diagnosis

Confirmation of disease through culture of L. monocytogenes in brain or aborted fetal tissues.

Listeriosis Treatment Protocol

Therapy consisting of IV oxytetracycline, supportive care (tube feeding and oral rehydration for inappetant animals), and electrolyte supplementation of potassium and bicarbonate lost in saliva.

Listeriosis Prognosis

Fair to good if the patient is ambulatory at the onset of treatment; poor if the patient is recumbent at onset.

Listeria monocytogenes Pathogenesis

The pathogen grows in spoiled silage at an elevated pH, ascends nerves to the brainstem, and causes bacteremia in the host.

Listeriosis Zoonotic Risk

Zoonotic potential resulting from L. monocytogenes contaminating milk.