Listeriosis — a review of eighty‐four cases

Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the epidemiology, risk factors for acquisition, clinical features and outcomes of Listeria monocytogenes infection in Sydney. DesignA retrospective study over the period 1983‐1992 at four university teaching hospitals in Sydney. Cases were identified from microbiology laboratory records of the isolation of L. monocytogenes from sterile sites. ResultsEighty‐four cases were reviewed, with 72 patients (86%) having a predisposing underlying condition, including 13 perinatal patients (15%). Septicaemia (56%) and central nervous system disease (41 %) were the major clinical presentations. Nineteen patients (23%) had hospital‐associated infection. A mortality of 21% (18 patients) was directly attributable to L. monocytogenes infection, with another 10% (nine patients) dying of their underlying disease during admission. The 84 cases represented 80% of all L. monocytogenes cases occurring in Sydney during the study period. ConclusionsListeriosis is predominantly a disease of the elderly or of immunosuppressed individuals, pregnant women and neonates. The presentation and outcome in these groups are similar to those reported in other Western countries. A significant feature of this study was the number of cases occurring in already hospitalised patients, suggesting that L. monocytogenes may be an important hospital‐associated pathogen in immunocompromised patients.

Listeria monocytogenesperitonitis: presentation, clinical features, treatment, and outcome

“…Their mean age was 58.4 years, in keeping with the age range (50-72 years) reported by nonperinatal listeriosis case-series [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]22,54,55]. Male gender predominated by 69.5%, also consistent with the male rates (55-77%) reported for systemic listeriosis [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]22,54,55]. The male predominance in Lm SBP could be explained by a greater prevalence of the underlying conditions, such as alcoholic cirrhosis in males.…”

“…The male predominance in Lm SBP could be explained by a greater prevalence of the underlying conditions, such as alcoholic cirrhosis in males. The vast majority of the cases (96.9%) suffered at least one serious underlying disease, comprising cirrhosis (67.2%), immunosuppressive medication, CRF, malignancy, DM, autoimmunity (Table I); those conditions are well-recognized risk factors for invasive listeriosis [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]22,54,55]; in the remaining four cases (3.1%) LP occurred in previously healthy individuals. Furthermore, almost half of the patients suffered two or more comorbid conditions.…”

“…Seventeen patients [51][52][53][54][55][56][57] with chronic renal failure undergoing CAPD were included, with a mean age of 50.7 years (Table IVa) and female predominance.…”

Sepsis and Meningitis due to Listeria Monocytogenes

“…However, we did not determine the involvement of the intestines in the patients with amyloidosis. Hospital transmission of L. monocytogenes among neonates in nurseries was described by several investigators 15,16. In adult patients, 5 studies on hospital-acquired listeriosis are available.…”

Listeria septicaemia following insertion of a dynamic hip screw: A case report and literature review

“…Additionally, he highlighted a strong correlation between the occurrences of Listeria monocytogenes in already hospitalised patients'. 7 In Cornwall, England, Robins et al published a case report of a patient who was 18-years post total hip replacement and presented with a febrile illness and severe hip pain on that side. A radiograph demonstrated an abscess around the prosthesis, which was drained and found to contain Listeria monocytogenesdespite a negative blood culture.…”