Definition

Noun 1. A species of bacteria: L. monocytogenes is the type species of the genus Listeria. It is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. 2. A pathogenic agent: This bacterium is a significant cause of the infectious disease listeriosis in humans and animals.

Usage

L. monocytogenes is used as a formal, scientific name for a specific bacterium. It is primarily used in medical, microbiological, and public health contexts. - The noun is typically treated as singular. - It is often preceded by the genus abbreviation L. (for Listeria).

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The presence of L. monocytogenes in the food sample was confirmed by laboratory testing.
  • Pregnant women are advised to avoid certain foods due to the risk of infection from L. monocytogenes.
• Medical/Public Health Context:
  • The outbreak was traced to a strain of L. monocytogenes.
  • The report detailed the mechanisms by which L. monocytogenes causes illness.

Advanced Usage

• "Listeria monocytogenes": The full, unabbreviated scientific name. Using the full name is common in formal writing or when first introducing the term.
  • The pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures.
• Used in discussions of food safety, epidemiology, and infectious disease control.

Variants and Related Words

• Listeria monocytogenes (n): The complete binomial nomenclature for the organism.
• Listeria (n): The genus name; often used informally to refer to or related species.
  • The cheese was recalled due to possible Listeria contamination.
• Listeriosis (n): The disease caused by infection with .
  • Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever and muscle aches.

Synonyms

• Pathogen: A general term for a disease-causing organism.
• Bacterium: A general term for a single-celled microorganism.

Notes on Meaning

This term has a single, specific scientific meaning. It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses. Its usage is confined to technical and scientific communication concerning the bacterium itself, its biology, and the infections it causes.

Noun

1. the type species of the genus Listeria; can cause meningitis, encephalitis, septicemia, endocarditis, abortion, abscesses, listeriosis