Epidemiology of listeriosis in Austria

Abstract

A total of 150 human cases of listeriosis (case definition based on isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from normally sterile material) were reported in Austria between 1997 and 2007. Of these, 14 cases (9.3%) were pregnancy-associated (mother/child illness considered as a single case) with a mean age of 29.3 years (median: 26.5; range 24-36). Among the non-pregnancy-associated cases (n = 136), 75 were male (55.2%) and 61 female (44.9%); patients in this group had a mean age of 64.3 years (median: 66.2; range 1-93). The average incidence of listeriosis in Austria in the period studied was 0.168 cases per 100,000 population. The majority of cases (90.7%) were caused by systemic infection, only 9.3% of cases were local infections. Among non-pregnancy-associated cases the fatality rate was 28.7% (39/136) and among the pregnancy-associated cases 35.7% (5/14: miscarriage x3, stillbirth x1, and one death in a newborn within 15 days of birth). Serotyping results for the 150 isolates revealed serovar (SV) 4b: 54%, SV 1/2a: 31.3%, SV 1/2b: 10%, SV 1/2c: 2.7%, 4d: 1.3% and SV 3a: 0.7%. Predisposing risk factors were determined for 131 of the 150 cases: age > or = 65 years (n = 73), pregnancy (n = 14) and 44 cases of carcinoma, blood malignancies, autoimmune diseases and status post solid organ transplants (7 patients had more than one underlying illness). During the period studied, the incidence of listeriosis doubled, despite a drastic reduction in the frequency of pregnancy-associated cases.

Listeria monocytogenesperitonitis: presentation, clinical features, treatment, and outcome

“…The known survival outcome of a case was considered mandatory to be included in the study; otherwise, it was only used in calculating the worldwide distribution of the disease [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Patients were divided into three subgroups: i) cirrhotics, ii) individuals with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and iii) the remaining, with other or no underlying condition.…”

Real-Time PCR Assay To Differentiate Listeriolysin S-Positive and -Negative Strains ofListeria monocytogenes

“…Related outbreaks are most commonly associated with a diverse range of ready-to-eat (RTE) meats, dairy products, vegetables, and fish (3,12,16,46,53,54). Although the incidence of listeriosis appears to be decreasing in the United States and other industrialized countries, increases have been reported for some European countries (5,11,28,30,32,34). Occurrences of sporadic and epidemic cases are fortunately rare compared to those of other food-borne diseases.…”

Listeriosis: The Dark Side of Refrigeration and Ensiling

“…The estimated risk for contracting listeriosis is 300-1000 times higher for AIDS patients than for the general population. However, relatively few cases have been reported worldwide among HIV positive or AIDS patients; in Austria listeriosis has been observed in HIV-positive patients only once so far (da Silva et al 1992;Kasper et al 2009). The preventive dietary recommendations to avoid the high risk foods in HIV positive persons and the repeated antimicrobial therapy for opportunistic infections may explain the relatively low incidence rate of listeriosis in AIDS patients (Vazquez-Boland et al 2001).…”