Occurrence of Listeria and listeriosis in Hungary.

Listeriosis is a rare human disease in Hungary. The number of cases is slowly increasing. Only sporadic events have been observed but the occurrence of epidemic listeriosis may be supposed. The Listeria monocytogenes (in abbreviation: L. m.) transmitter role of food in human infections has not yet been verified. The epidemiological character of animal listeriosis is different. Healthy carriers can be found among both humans and animals. Foodstuffs of animal as well as plant origin may be contaminated with Listeria. When the processing technology and/or hygienic conditions are not satisfactory, these microorganisms can be detected in food factories and in final products of the food industry.