[Nosocomial outbreak due to Listeria monocytogenes in a neonatal unit]. / Brote nosocomial por Listeria monocytogenes en una Unidad de Neonatos.

INTRODUCTION: Description of an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in a neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: A questionnaire, environmental investigation and molecular study were performed. RESULTS: We identified a nosocomial outbreak of L. monocytogenes, confirmed by the genetic study, in a neonatal intensive care unit. Three infants were affected. Although the transmission mechanism could not be elucidated, cross-infection was strongly suggested. CONCLUSION: Adherence to universal hygiene standards is necessary to avoid nosocomial outbreaks.

A case report of sporadic ovine listerial menigoencephalitis in Iowa with an overview of livestock and human cases.

A case of ovine listeriosis was examined in a flock of sheep. The index case was a male lamb, which was part of a flock of 85 sheep located in central Iowa. Because the sheep were raised on a premise where soybean sprouts were also cultivated for the organic foods market, the potential of a public health concern was addressed. To identify the source of contaminations, clinical and environmental samples were cultured for Listeria monocytogenes. Isolates were serotyped and analyzed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Listeria monocytogenes (serotype 1) was recovered from the brain of a male lamb with clinical signs of listerial encephalitis. Isolates of serotypes 1 and 4 were also cultured from feces of clinically healthy lambs, compost piles, and soybean cleanings. By PFGE, the clinical isolate was distinctly different from the other isolates. Environmental isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes serotypes 1 and 4. However, by PFGE, none matched the profile of the single clinical isolate. Thus, the ultimate source of contamination is unknown.

Listeria meningoencephalitis: two cases and a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Although presently uncommon locally, Listeria is increasing an important cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection worldwide. It differs from the common meningitis pathogens in its clinical features and treatment. CLINICAL PICTURE: We present 2 recently encountered cases of Listeria meningoencephalitis. In case 1, a previously healthy 42-year-old man presented with clinical features of meningoencephalitis. In case 2, a 64-year-old woman had clinical features of pneumonia and meningoencephalitis. Both had a predominantly lymphocytic picture in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Listeria grew in blood cultures of both patients and the CSF culture of the first. TREATMENT: In both cases, Listeria was resistant to the empirical antibiotics used. Intravenous ampicillin was eventually used in both patients, with gentamicin, added for synergistic action in the first. OUTCOME: The first patient developed complications of hydrocephalus, subdural collection and extensive cerebritis and ventriculitis. The second patient had focal seizures and a pontine infarct. Both did not survive. CONCLUSION: These 2 recent cases with different presentations of intracranial listerosis highlight the increasing importance of listerial infections in Singapore. Clinicians need to be familiar with the features of this lethal disease in order to recognize and manage it successfully.

[Neonatal listeriosis and postnatal contamination. A new case]. / Listériose néonatale et contamination post-natale. Une nouvelle observation.

Four cases of neonatal listeriosis issued from the same maternity during the period of ten days are reported in this paper. Three newborns suffered from a delayed listeriosis meningitic form with complete recovery. The fourth newborn suffered from early septicemic form and died. This is a new observation of post-natal cross infection with listeria monocytogenes in the same maternity. The reported cases remain rare up to now, although this is a classic notion.

Listeria meningitis in an immunocompetent child.

We report a case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in an apparently healthy 3-year-old boy. This is the first case reported in English literature where adequate evaluation of immune status did not reveal an immunologic defect. The patient is in the age group least affected by an opportunistic organism and has been living in a district known for a high incidence of Listeria in livestock. The epidemiologic implication of this observation is discussed.

[Meningitis due to "Listeria monocytogenes": small postnatal outbreak (author's transl)]. / Pequeña epidemia de meningitis listeriósica neonatal.

Four cases of "Listeria monocytogenes" serotype 4 neonatal meningitis are reported. In all, the study of maternal antecedents and the circumstances of their outcome as small epidemy suggest a raisonable evidence that postnatal contamination within the early twenty-four hours of life happened. A proper treatment succeded in complete healing without sequelae in all cases.