Listeria infection turns out to be prevented by good bacteria in the gut

Have you ever heard the hot news about imported apples containing listeria bacteria? Yes, listeria bacteria or Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria to watch out for. The reason is, these bacteria can cause listeria infection (listeriosis) which easily attacks people with weak immune systems such as pregnant women, babies, the elderly, and cancer patients.

A study found that the bacteria found in your intestines hold an important key to preventing listeria infection. How to? Check out the full review below.

What is listeria infection or listeriosis?

Listeria infection or listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria Listeria monocytogenes . When you get listeria, you may experience headaches, fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, and weakness. This infection can occur as a result of consuming foods that are easy to eat and have been contaminated by bacteria such as soft cheese, raw meat, and milk.

For most adults, the listeria bacteria that enter the body can be repelled by the immune system. However, in some groups such as infants, pregnant women, cancer patients, and people with weak immune systems are very susceptible to listeria infection. The reason is, once this listeria bacteria escapes from the digestive tract and spreads throughout the body, it can cause septicemia (blood poisoning), meningitis, and even death.

Probiotic bacteria reduce the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to colonize

A study from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York found four species of gut bacteria that can reduce bacterial growth Listeria monocytogenes . The four species are Clostridium saccharogumia , C. ramosum , C. hathewayi , and B. producta all of which belong to the Clostridiales family. These bacteria are good bacteria (probiotics) that exist naturally in your intestines.

The research begins with testing probiotic bacteria in the laboratory to find out how these bacteria reduce growth Listeria monocytogenes. Furthermore, the probiotic bacteria were transferred to germ-free mice (without any microorganisms in them) and then put the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes . They found that the probiotic bacteria have the ability to secrete antibacterial toxins that can break down colonization Listeria monocytogenes . This shows that mice are protected from the risk of listeria infection.

These findings can be attributed to the cause of the high risk of listeria infection in pregnant women, infants, or people with low immunity to the number of good bacteria in the gut. Pregnant women in the third trimester –that is, in the phase of the highest susceptibility to listeria bacteria – showed a decrease in the Clostridiales species of bacteria so that they became very susceptible to listeria infection.

Meanwhile, reported by Science Daily, cancer patients have a thousand times higher chances of contracting listeria infection. This is due to the effect of chemotherapy drugs that can reduce the patient's immune system. However, researchers predict the natural bacteria that grow in the digestive tract may help reduce infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes .

Antibiotics can make you more susceptible to listeria infections

The presence of good bacteria in the intestine is reported to contribute to the prevention of listeria infection. However, these helper bacteria can be reduced in number due to the consumption of antibiotics. How can?

This theory is reinforced by the results of research that distinguishes probiotic reactions in mice given antibiotics, mice given chemotherapy drugs, and compared with mice that are not given anything. After the three mice were introduced to the listeria bacteria, the researchers found that the mice given the antibiotic were more susceptible to listeria infection than the other mice.

This is thought to be because antibiotics can reduce the number of good bacteria and can boost the ability of listeria bacteria to disrupt the digestive tract and reach the circulatory system. This disturbance occurs continuously until the mice die. Meanwhile, the mice given chemotherapy drugs also had an increased susceptibility to listeria infection and were exacerbated when given antibiotics.