Definition
Listeriosis (listeria monocytogenes) is a bacterial infection that occurs after ingestion of infected foods (raw meat, fruits, vegetables, seafood, dairy products). Infection during pregnancy can cause infection in the newborn or stillbirth.
- In a weak immune system that may be present in immunosuppressive therapy in rheumatic diseases, listeria can give muscle aches, joint infection (Septic arthritis) and meningitis (meningitis).
Symptoms
After gastro-intestinal infection (gastroenteritis) during food poisoning, the symptoms averaged 24 hours later (latency)
- Fever
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Arthralgia and muscle pain
- Duration of up to 2 day course with full refresh
Meningitis / meningoencephalitis (via bacteria in the blood):
- Influenza-like start
- CNS (Brain)
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Ataxia, tremor, hemiplegia, deafness
- Disorientation
- Changed mental status
- Convulsions
Pregnancy (XNUMBER):
- Flu like symptoms
- Fetal death, premature birth
- Infected newborns (life threatening)
Diagnosis
Can only be made by growing bacteria from blood and cerebrospinal fluid
- Lumbar puncture
- Cerebrospinal fluid with moderately increased protein, low glucose, lymphocytes more than 25%. Gram staining positive in only one of three cases
- MRI examination of the brain should be taken with contrast agent
Treatment
Ampicillin + gentamycin.
- Meningitis is usually treated over 3 weeks, brain abscess is treated for 6 weeks
Literature
Opportunistic infections, BINDEVEVSSYKDOMMER.no