listeria

Thân thiện

A scientist examines a petri dish containing listeria under a laboratory light.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of bacteria: "Listeria" refers to any species of bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria. These bacteria are often found in soil, water, and some animals, and certain types can cause a serious infection called listeriosis in humans.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The food recall was issued due to possible contamination with listeria.
  • Pregnant women are advised to avoid certain foods that may harbor listeria.
  • Scientists are studying the growth patterns of listeria in refrigerated environments.

Advanced Usage

• "Listeria monocytogenes": This is the specific species of the genus that is most commonly pathogenic to humans, causing listeriosis.
  • The outbreak was traced to a strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

Variants and Related Words

• Listeriosis (n): The illness caused by infection with the bacterium .
  • Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever and muscle aches.

Synonyms

• Pathogen: A broader term for a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
• Bacterium: A more general term for a single-celled microorganism.

Notes on Meaning

The word "listeria" is almost exclusively used in scientific, medical, and public health contexts to refer to the bacterial genus. It is not typically used in everyday conversation outside of discussions about food safety or infectious disease.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any species of the genus Listeria