Definition

A serious illness caused by a type of bacteria that can affect both animals and humans, leading to symptoms like fever and inflammation of the brain.

Example

The outbreak of listeriosis prompted health officials to issue warnings about contaminated food.

Conversation

Have you heard about listeriosis?

Yeah, I read that it can be pretty serious, especially for pregnant women.

Right? It's crazy how a simple food item can cause listeriosis if it's contaminated.

I always make sure to check the food safety guidelines now!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Listeriosis → The word is derived from 'Listeria' (named after the British surgeon Joseph Lister, who pioneered antiseptic surgery) and the suffix '-osis' (from Greek 'osis', meaning a condition or disease). Listeriosis refers to the condition caused by the bacterium Listeria.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Listeria' as the name of the bacterium that causes the disease, and '-osis' indicating a condition. This helps you remember that listeriosis is a condition caused by Listeria.

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