infections
Listeriosis
Invasive listeriosis
The bacteria sometimes enter the bloodstream from the intestine and invade certain organs (called invasive listeriosis). Bacteria may spread to the following: The tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (causing Acute Bacterial Meningitis ) The eyes Heart valves (causing Noninfective Endocarditis ) Joints In pregnant women, the uterus and fetus Rarely, collections of pus (abscesses) form in the brain and spinal cord. 