History of Listeria in Timeline
Listeria, a genus of bacteria named after Joseph Lister, are intracellular parasites that infect mammals. This genus, with 28 identified species, includes the major human pathogen L. monocytogenes, responsible for the foodborne illness listeriosis. This disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly, potentially leading to serious complications. While listeriosis can cause severe illness in vulnerable populations, it typically manifests as gastroenteritis in healthy individuals.
1929: First Human Listeriosis Case Documented
Danish physician Aage Nyfeldt documented the first known case of human listeriosis in 1929.
1957: Listeria Classified Within Corynebacteriaceae Family
The seventh edition of Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, published in 1957, classified the Listeria genus as part of the Corynebacteriaceae family.
1992: Ten Species of Listeria Identified
By 1992, scientists had identified ten distinct species within the Listeria genus, each with two subspecies.
2004: Listeria Reclassified into New Family Listeriaceae
Based on 16S rRNA studies, the Listeria genus was reclassified into the newly established Listeriaceae family in 2004.
2008: Cold-Cut Meats Linked to Listeria Outbreak in Canada
In 2008, an outbreak of listeriosis in Canada was linked to contaminated cold-cut meats.
2011: Cantaloupe and Chicken Wraps Implicated in Listeria Outbreaks
The year 2011 saw two listeriosis outbreaks: one in Colorado linked to mishandled cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, and another in Australia traced back to contaminated chicken wraps from GMI Food Wholesalers.
2018: Cantaloupe-Linked Listeriosis Outbreak in Australia
Improperly handled cantaloupe was identified as the source of a listeriosis outbreak in eastern Australia in early 2018.
September 2019: Multiple Listeria Outbreaks Linked to Deli Meats and Smoked Salmon
Several listeriosis outbreaks occurred in September 2019. Contaminated deli meats caused outbreaks in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, while smoked salmon was a suspected source in Australia.
2024: 28 Species of Listeria Classified into Two Groups
As of 2024, the Listeria genus encompasses 28 recognized species, categorized into two main groups: sensu stricto and sensu lato.
2024: Number of Listeria Species Expands to 28
The number of identified Listeria species significantly increased to 28 by 2024.