Heart threat from food bug deadly strain

Potentially deadly varieties of a common food bug are "uniquely adapted" to infect the heart, a study has found.

The listeria strains are most likely to target people with existing heart problems, or who have had heart valve replacements.

Scientists in the US discovered that mice infected with the strains had up to 15 times more bacteria in their hearts than those exposed to other forms of listeria.

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Listeria monocytogenes is widespread in the environment, and exists harmlessly in the the guts of at least five per cent of healthy people.

The bug can grow in low temperatures and can be found in a wide range of foods including soft cheeses, cold meat products, raw vegetables, fish, salads and unpasteurised milk.

Pregnant women are especially susceptible to listeria, which can cause them to miscarry.