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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Preventive Action for Listeria Infection

Q: Dear Elena: I am a little bit scared, as I believe I may have consumed a maple leaf product before it was recalled. I heard that it takes months for it to show up. Is there anyway to tell earlier and if I do have this bacteria how can I cure myself before I get really sick?

A: Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that is found in soil, vegetation, raw milk, meat, poultry, cheeses (particularly soft mould-ripened varieties) and salad vegetables. Listeria can grow at low temperatures, even in the fridge. Thorough cooking of food and pasteurisation of milk can destroy Listeria bacteria. Once in the body, Listeria can travel through the blood stream but the bacteria are often found inside cells where toxins are produced resulting in damaged cells. Five out of every 100 people carry Listeria in their intestines.

After consuming food contaminated with this bacteria, symptoms could appear anywhere from 11-70 days later. Some never develop the symptoms while others can become gravely ill and even die. Most people do not get any noticeable symptoms. Symptoms can vary from mild flu-like illness, to meningitis and septicaemia; and in pregnant women, abortion, miscarriage or birth of an infected child can occur. Other people at risk are those whose immune systems are compromised, the very young and the very old. These individuals are advised to avoid certain foods, such as soft mould-ripened cheeses and pates, because the risk of infection is very high.

Diagnosis

Listeriosis may be diagnosed and treated by infectious disease specialists and internal medicine specialists. The only way to diagnose listeriosis is to isolate Listeria monocytogenes from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or stool. Since you don't have any symptoms and is only interested to prevent any potential onset of disease at a later date, stool analysis is your only option. All other tests are only useful once the bacteria have spread to the organs outside of intestines. You will need to have your family doctor refer you for that.

Treatment

The treatment of listeriosis usually involves using various antibiotics. Because the bacteria live within macrophage cells, treatment may be difficult and the treatment periods may vary. Naturopathically, if you were concerned with potential infection, common sense would say use preventive treatment to get rid of any potential infection. As soon as possible (after consuming questionable food) I would take herbal anti-biotic preparation such as oregano oils for example 3-4 times a day for about 2-3 weeks. In case you have ingested some bacteria and it has survived in your intestines, taking anti-bacterial herbs will at a minimum cut down on its replication rate and keeps infection down. Taking concentrated digestive enzymes away from meal (if you don't have an ulcer) will also be useful in mopping things up. A good dose of lactobacillus will also help maintain intestinal integrity.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist