For my Getting Friendly With Bacteria project I will be researching Listeria. I want to create a series of abstract drawings of the bacteria. My idea is that these drawings will generate curiosity for an audience without a lot of knowledge of the bacteria. I hope that the drawings will challenge the idea that bacteria are scary or not complex structures. Though listeria is a “harmful” bacteria I want to remind an audience that bacteria can also be seen as “beautiful” and remind people that they are life as well. Some facts about the bacteria will also be included next to the drawing on a poster. Below are some drawings I have completed.
Some facts on Listeria:
-Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems.
-Listeria infection is most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.
-If you develop a listeria infection, you may experience:
-Specific laboratory tests are the only way to diagnose this disease. A blood, spinal fluid, or amniotic fluid/placenta test that looks for the bacteria will be able to show if the disease is present.
-Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Ampicillin, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics, is often used.
-Since the bacteria is widespread in nature, basic sanitary measures such as using only pasteurized dairy products, eating cooked meats, washing produce, and washing hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry offers the best protection.