Dear Lactnet friends, I've still been gathering information about my cabbage/listeria connection. After reading Tom Hale's comments on botulism, I thought that getting his input would be most helpful. I'm sharing his comments below. A special note of apology to Kathleen Bruce. I know that you asked for further clarification on this days ago. I have no references specific to the use of cabbage for engorgement and its connection to listeria. The concern was first raised to an LC colleague of mine at another area hospital by an infectious disease doctor. Here are Tom Hale's comments: Listeria M. is a normal environmental microbe, that actually exists in at least 5% of the human population in a 'carrier' state. It is ubiquitious, and is in highest concentrations in sewage, surface water, vegetation, and fields contaminated with animal waste. The most common infections produced by listeria are: 1. Septicemia 2. Meningoencephalitis 3. Fetal infections(neonatal listeriosis) although these are actually quite uncommon. Listeria is an anaerobic, non-sporulating, gram + bacterial rod. Although is can penetrate the mucosa of the eye, it has a very difficult time penetrating normal skin. Epidemiology studies do not show any standard way of acquiring the infection, but rather it is acquired from a whole host of sources. However, to your question, Cabbage fertilized with sheep manure(several of which died from the infection) was apparently contaminated. It was subsequently stored at 4 degrees Centegrade. (Listeria is unique in that it can grow quite readily at low temperatures). The above cabbage was implicated in one such outbreak of listeria infections. The fact that it was cabbage was unfortunate, it could just as easily been lettuce, carrots, or green beans. Lastly, listeria infections are really quite easily treated with ampicillin and gentamicin, so they seldom produce a high morbidity. I hope this helps. I did not send this the LACTNET, but you may if you wish. TWHale, Ph.D. Texas Tech Univ. School of Medicine Dept. of Pediatrics Amarillo, Texas