Listeriosis

Murray 1926.

• Infection with Listeria monocytogenes, a facultatively pathogenic, motile, microaerophilic, Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, catalase-positive, facultatively aerobic rod.

• Historical note
• Listeriosis was named after Joseph Baron Lister (1827–1912), a British surgeon.

• Incidence: 100-300 reported cases/year.

• Veterinarians and farmers are particularly often affected.
• A special risk exists when pregnant women are infected (embryopathy).
• In some cases, an epidemic occurrence could be proven.
• M:F = 1:1.

• Pathogen
• Listeria monocytogenes, rarely L. seeligeri or L. ivanovii.
• Transmission by smear infection, via food ingestion and diaplacentally.
• Reservoir
• Animals, sewage, food (milk and poultry products) and waste. L. monocytogenes is detectable in the GI tract of many people.
• Predisposing factors
• Immunosuppression (childbirth, old age, neoplasia, HIV infection, transplantation, pregnancy).

• Monucleosis-like symptomatology.
• Febrile temperatures, drowsiness, cephalgia, lumbar pain, meningitis and sepsis.
• Gastrointestinal complaints.
• Abscesses (granulomatosis infantiseptica), petechiae and bluish nodules as signs of (extramedullary haematopoiesis).
• Characteristic are erythematous nodules, which become papules and pustules and eventually ulcerate. In farmers and veterinarians, it is usually occupational listeriosis).
• Immune-suppressed patients: Pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis.
• Infestation of any organ is possible.

• History.
• Clinical.
• Culture (blood, stool, bact. smear e.g.: pharyngeal swab or meconium, lochia, vaginal secretions, faeces, wounds).
• Infected (sometimes asymptomatic) persons can excrete Listeria via faeces for several weeks to months.
• In the urine and lochial secretions of the mother of infected newborns, the pathogens can be detected up to 2 weeks postpartum.

Listeria meningitis (lethality: approx. 30%).

Immunity possible through recurrent exposure (veterinarians and farmers)

1. Hlavova H, Podivinska I, Horalek F. [The significance of skin tests and serological reactions in the early diagnosis of listeriosis]. Cesk Gynekol 1966;31:334-8.
2. Reichertz P, Seeliger HP. [Studies on the question of the relation between serum antibodies and skin reactions in cases of suspected listeriosis]. Z Klin Med 1962;157:331-49.
3. Kalkoff KW, Schiff W. [Listeriosis of the skin caused by contact infection]. Hautarzt 1960;11:201-4.
4. Novak J. [Special skin symptoms in listeriosis]. Cas Lek Cesk 1957;96:420-1.