Listeria monocytogenes

- causes Listeriosis - g+, facultative, small motile rod, hemolytic - an grow 1-44 C, optimum 35-37 C - resistant to freezing, drying, high NaCl, pH 5> - can invade monocytes - present in soil, water, sewage, dead vegetation, silage - can persist for years in food processing & storage environment