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Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas

Print version ISSN 1130-0108

Rev. esp. enferm. dig. vol.110 n.6 Madrid Jun. 2018

https://dx.doi.org/10.17235/reed.2018.5497/2018 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Listeriosis during the period 2003-2016

Eva Barreiro-Alonso1  , Javier Santamaría-del-Tío2  , Eva-María Fonseca-Aizpuru2 

1Sección de Aparato Digestivo. Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes. Gijón, Asturias. Spain

2Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes. Gijón, Asturias. Spain

Key words: Listeria monocytogenes; Listeriosis

Dear Editor,

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) can cause invasive disease in immunocompromised patients 1,2. This retrospective study analyzed the characteristics of cases treated at the Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes (300,000 inhabitants) from January 1st 2003 to December 31st 2016, previously reviewed from 1991 to 2002 3. Cases considered: compatible disease and isolation of LM in a sterile medium. SPSS was used for data analysis.

Thirty-three patients were diagnosed, with an average age of 64.9 years (35-88 ± SD 15.6); 21 were (63.6%) male. There was a total of 43 cases, which equates to 0.95/105 cases/inhabitants/year 3. Comorbidity was described in 29 (87.9%) cases (Fig. 1). Disease presentation was fever in 27 cases (81.8%), meningitis in 12 cases (36.4%) and diarrhea in two cases (6.1%). Fifteen (45.5%) cases had severe complications with the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). Positive blood cultures were identified in 24 (72.7%) cases. These were treated with ampicillin and gentamicin in 12 cases, ampicillin and cephalosporin in six cases, ampicillin monotherapy in five cases and cotrimoxazole in four cases. There was a favorable evolution in 19 patients (57.6%) and 14 (42.4%) died, all with a comorbidity.

Fig. 1 Histogram of the annual cases of listeriosis. Associated comorbidity. 

Discussion

LM is an under-diagnosed disease of a voluntary declaration although its incidence has increased due to a greater awareness of the disease, senescence, immunocompromised individuals and an increased demand of microbiological cultures 4,5. Clinically, it can present as self-limited diarrhea, with a short incubation period that is often underestimated 4. The condition can be severe with high mortality in immunocompromised patients 1,4. The involvement of the CNS was identified as an independent risk factor associated with a higher mortality 4. Diagnosis is confirmed via the isolation of LM in normally sterile sites. Stool cultures are not considered to be useful, due to the existence of LM carriers without clinical disease. The treatment of choice is ampicillin and gentamicin. Cotrimoxazole is administered in penicillin allergic patients 5. The mortality rate can reach 30% 4. In our study, mortality was higher due to comorbidities and the involvement of the CNS. LM infection is potentially serious with a high mortality. A high index of suspicion and early antibiotic treatment are required, especially for immunocompromised patients.

Bibliografía

1. De Noordhout CM, Devleesschauwer B, Angulo FJ, et al. The global burden of listeriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 2014;14(11):1073-82. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70870-9 [ Links ]

2. Diego L, Martín-Vivaldi J, Ramírez F, et al. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis by Listeria monocytogenes in patients with liver cirrhosis. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2005;97(8):603-4. [ Links ]

3. Arias Miranda IM, Nuño Mateo FJ, Noval Menéndez J, et al. Listeriosis in the adult. Revision of 10 cases. An Med Interna 2004;21(2):75-8. [ Links ]

4. Lomonaco S, Nucera D, Filipello V. The evolution and epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes in Europe and the United States. Infec Genet Evol 2015;35:172-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.08.008 [ Links ]

5. Zamora-López MJ, Pulián Morais MV, Tato Rodríguez R, et al. Invasive listeriosis in Pontevedra province, Spain: target of epidemiological surveillance? Med Clin 2015;145(8):366-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.medcle.2016.02.050 [ Links ]