Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is the third leading cause of foodborne death in the United States. This serious infection affects about 1,250 people annually with a 20% mortality rate, particularly threatening vulnerable groups. The bacterium's ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures makes it exceptionally difficult to control in the food supply chain.

This bacterium is widely distributed in natural environments and is primarily transmitted through contaminated food. The infection process of Listeria begins with the consumption of contaminated food, particularly ready-to-eat foods, unpasteurized dairy products and pre-processed foods. The bacteria invade the human body through the intestinal mucosa and may further disseminate to other organs. In food processing environments, Listeria can form biofilms on equipment surfaces, resisting routine cleaning and disinfection measures. This allows it to persist in food processing environments, leading to repeated contamination.

In terms of detection, traditional bacterial culture methods require several days to obtain results, while rapid detection methods based on immunochromatographic technology can achieve early diagnosis by detecting specific bacterial antigens in a relatively short time. These rapid detection methods rely on specific surface proteins and virulence factors of Listeria as biomarkers, providing important tools for clinical diagnosis and food regulation. Preventing listeriosis requires comprehensive measures, including thorough cooking of food, avoiding high-risk foods and maintaining kitchen hygiene. Rapid testing of high-risk foods can also effectively reduce the risk of infection.

In conclusion, the prevention and control of listeriosis is a systematic project requiring multi-party collaboration. Strengthening monitoring and testing during food production, enhancing public food safety awareness, and improving diagnostic capabilities in medical institutions can effectively reduce the disease's burden on public health. Particularly noteworthy is that with the increasing complexity of the food supply chain, developing rapid and accurate detection methods becomes especially important. This helps to promptly identify contamination sources, block transmission routes, and protect the health of vulnerable populations.