see also:

• clinically important bacteria

• Listeria monocytogenes may cause potentially fatal sepsis or meningitis in at risk people such as neonates, pregnant women, elderly or the immunocompromised
• it is found in soil and water and is spread as a food-borne infection from eating contaminated foods, particularly, fruit, vegetables, dairy products such as soft cheeses, or processed meats such as pate or cold cuts
• incubation period is 3 to 70 days, average of 3 weeks
• it is not spread person-to-person apart from mother to fetus

• fever, malaise, myalgias, flu-like illness
• may have some nausea +/- vomiting
• possible features of meningitis
• in pregnant women it may cause miscarriage, premature delivery, serious infection of the newborn or stillbirth

• iv cannula
• bloods for FBE, U&E, CRP, blood cultures
• empirical antibiotics including iv benzyl penicillin to cover the Listeria
  • usually iv benzylpenicillin 2.4 g (child: 60 mg/kg up to 2.4 g) 4-hourly
  • if penicillin allergy then:
    • if not pregnant: iv co-trimoxazole qid
• if suspected meningitis then consider lumbar puncture (LP)
  • duration of iv antibiotic Rx for Listerior meningitis is usually 3 weeks
    • if immunocompromised and if good response, a further 3wks course using oral co-trimoxazole qid can be used
• supportive care