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(Pediatrics in Review. 2004;25:151-159.)
© 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics

Listeriosis

Klara M. Posfay-Barbe, MD^*
Ellen R. Wald, MD

^* Visiting Instructor
Professor of Pediatrics and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

	Objectives

 
After completing this article, readers should be able to:

1. Recognize Listeria monocytogenes as a cause of neonatal sepsis.
   
2. Describe the mode of transmission of L monocytogenes.
   
3. Characterize the clinical manifestations of L monocytogenes infection (listeriosis).
   
4. Know the drug of choice for the treatment of L monocytogenes infection.
   
5. List the risk factors for severe listerial illness.
   

	Historical Perspective

 
L monocytogenes was isolated initially in 1926 as a causative organism of mononucleosis in rabbits and guinea pigs. (1) Because these infected animals showed typical monocytosis, the pathogen was named Bacterium monocytogenes. (1)(2)(3) Human disease was described 3 years later. In 1936, the same bacterium was reported as a cause of perinatal infection. (2) L monocytogenes was named in 1940 in honor of Lord Lister, the father of antiseptic technique.

Previously a rare cause of infection, L monocytogenes has been isolated more frequently since the 1960s due probably to the widespread use of individual refrigerators, the availability of highly processed food, and the extended shelf life of foodstuffs. (4) It remains an uncommon cause of illness in the general population, but can be life-threatening in neonates, pregnant women, elderly persons, and all immunosuppressed patients.

	Microbiology

 
L monocytogenes is a small, facultatively anaerobic, gram-positive, motile bacillus (rod). It grows well in broth and on blood agar; some species produce a narrow zone of beta-hemolysis. (5)(6)(7) In clinical specimens, the organism may be gram-variable and look like cocci, diplococci, or diphtheroids, thereby misleading the laboratory technician. (8)(9) The organism tolerates low temperatures as well as high pH and high salt concentrations, which allow it to replicate in soil, water, sewage, manure, animal feed, and contaminated refrigerated foods. It can survive many months in soil, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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