any of various infections in animals and occas. humans, caused by listeria and often associated with encephalitis, meningitis, etc.
See listeriosis in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(lĭ-stîrˌē-ōˈsĭs)
noun
A bacterial disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, affecting wild and domestic animals and sometimes humans and characterized by fever, meningitis, and encephalitis.