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 just 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 in 6 weeks

Literature

• Pena-Saredo JL, 2008
• Maertens de Noordhout C, 2014
• Wikipedia

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