Definition

1. Noun:
   • A serious bacterial infection: "listeria meningitis" is a specific infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. It is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.
   • A condition with neurological symptoms: This disease frequently involves inflammation of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), leading to various neurological symptoms.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The outbreak was traced to a source of listeria meningitis.
  • Newborns and immunocompromised individuals are at highest risk for developing listeria meningitis.
  • The patient was hospitalized with a confirmed case of listeria meningitis.

Advanced Usage

• Medical Context: The term is used precisely in medical, epidemiological, and public health contexts to describe this specific form of bacterial meningitis.
  • The public health advisory warned about the risks of listeria meningitis associated with the contaminated product.

Variants and Related Words

• Listeriosis (n): The broader infection caused by , which can manifest as meningitis, septicemia, or other conditions.
  • Listeria meningitis is one of the most severe forms of listeriosis.
• Bacterial meningitis (n): The general category of meningitis caused by bacteria, which includes listeria meningitis as well as meningococcal or pneumococcal meningitis.

Synonyms

• Listerial meningitis: A less common but technically equivalent term.
• Listeria monocytogenes meningitis: A more formal, descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases

• To contract listeria meningitis: To become infected with the disease.
  • He contracted listeria meningitis from unpasteurized cheese.
• A case of listeria meningitis: An instance of the disease.
  • The hospital reported three new cases of listeria meningitis this month.

Noun

1. an infectious disease of animals and humans (especially newborn or immunosuppressed persons) caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes; in sheep and cattle the infection frequently involves the central nervous system and causes various neurological symptoms