Listeria monocytogenes can easily overcome anatomical barriers in the body and, for example, penetrate the intestines, the blood-brain barrier, or the placenta without any problems.

For those affected by listeriosis, the disease is associated with a comparatively higher damage than with other foodborne infection pathogens (e.g., fever, muscle pain, gastrointestinal diseases, meningitis, sepsis). The mortality rate is about 10-20% for the general population and up to 75% for risk groups (pregnant women, newborns, young children, immunocompromised adults, those taking immunosuppressants or stomach acid inhibitors).