Which organism is associated with human infections often linked to deli meats and improperly pasteurized dairy products?

• A. Bacillus subtilis
• B. Listeria monocytogenes
• C. Leuconostoc
• D. Streptococcus agalactiae

Answer: (B)

Listeria monocytogenes is linked to deli meats and improperly pasteurized dairy because it can survive and even multiply at refrigeration temperatures, making ready-to-eat meats and soft cheeses common vehicles for infection. This organism is a Gram-positive rod and a facultative intracellular pathogen that can invade host cells, spread within the body, and, in pregnant people, cross the placental barrier, risking fetal infection or neonatal sepsis. The illness it causes, listeriosis, can be severe in the elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant individuals, often presenting as fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, meningitis or septicemia. Other organisms listed do not share this specific association with refrigerated deli meats or unpasteurized dairy in the same way, as they are not primary foodborne pathogens tied to these foods.