Listerial infections

Listeriosis
A. Microbiological characteristics

1. Cause
 * → Listeria monocytogenes
 * → G+ rod bacterium

2. Transmission
 * → vertical: from mother to fetus during ante or intrapartum period
 * → horizontal: from cheese, meat

B. Signs and Symptoms

1. In immunocompetent people [IC]
 * asymptomatic OR
 * symptomatic: flu-like conditions, self limited

2. In immunodeficient patients [ID]
 * meningoencephalitis

3. In pregnant women
 * bacteremia and sepsis

4. In neonates
 * meningoencephalitis
 * granulomatous infantiseptica (granulomas throughout the neonatal organs and tissues)

C. Diagnosis
 * CSF examination
 * CT/MRI scans

D. Treatment
 * aminopenicillins
 * tetracyclines