Listeria

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Background

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 1-9

3. Outbreaks: Causes and Lessons to be Learnt

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 10-29

4. Factors Affecting the Growth and Survival of Listeria Monocytogenes

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 30-34

5. Industry Focus: Control of Listeria Monocytogenes

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 35-107

6. Industry Action and Reaction

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 108-119

7. Test Methods

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 120-131

8. The Future

   • Chris Bell, Alec Kyriakides

   Pages 132-133

9. Back Matter

   Pages 134-150

   PDF

The independent investigations some 70 years ago by E. G. D. Murray and colleagues in Cambridge (UK) and J,H. H. Pirie in Johannesburg (South Mrica) resulted in the first detailed descriptions of listeriosis (in both instances in small animals), together with the isolation and naming of Lis­ teria monocytogenes. These descriptions in 1926 and 1927 show the pre­ cision and care of these experimentalists, for not only did they show much skill and attention to detail but also great insight in surmising that the consumption of contaminated food was associated with the trans­ mission of listeriosis. In the words of Pirie in 1927, 'Infection can be pro­ duced by subcutaneous inoculation or by feeding and it is thought that it is by feeding that the disease is spread in nature. ' These observations were largely forgotten and listeriosis was regarded as a rather obscure disease of animals and occasionally humans. However, the 1980s saw dramatic changes and the 'elevation' of Listeria to a topic of concern not only amongst microbiologists (particularly food micro­ biologists) but also the general public.

• animals
• experiment
• food
• growth
• infection
• taxonomy

• UK

  Chris Bell

• Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, London, UK

  Alec Kyriakides

Policies and ethics