Listeria Sketchy

Listeria is a pathogen. This means it can live both inside and outside host cells, but it prefers to hide within them to avoid antibodies.

| Population | Presentation | |-------------|---------------| | | Mild flu-like illness (fever, myalgia) → fetal loss, premature labor. | | Neonate | Granulomatosis infantiseptica (diffuse pyogranulomas), meningitis, sepsis. | | Adult/elderly | Meningoencephalitis (often rhombencephalitis: cranial nerve deficits, ataxia). | | Immunocompromised | Bacteremia, meningitis, focal infections. | listeria sketchy

This dual mnemonic explains its movement. Outside the cell, it uses flagella for a "tumbling" motion; inside the cell, it uses actin rockets (polymerizing host actin) to jump between cells and evade the immune system. The Christmas List: A direct play on the name "Listeria". Pathogenesis: Why it’s Dangerous Listeria is a pathogen