Human listeriosis and animal models

Human listeriosis is a potentially fatal foodbome infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, an opportunistic psychrophile bacterium that is widespread in the environment. It has only recently emerged as a significant cause of human infection in industrialized countries, owing to appearance of a vulnerable population of immunocompromised individuals, and the concomitant development of large-scale agro-industrial plants and refrigerated food. Here we review the main clinical features of human listeriosis and highlight specificities and similarities with animal listeriosis in diverse species. Finally, we present some of the critical determinants for the choice of an appropriate animal model to study human listeriosis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.