Listeria Flashcards
What type of bacteria is listeria?
Gram positive bacillus
What typically spreads listeria?
contaminated food
e.g. unpasteurised dairy products
Why is listeria infection dangerous to the unborn child?
can lead to miscarriage
Risk factors for listeria infection
elderly
neonates
immunosuppression (steroids)
pregnancy
Features of Listeria infection
- gastroenteritis
- flu-like illness
- meningoencephalitis
- ataxia
- seizures
What is typically found in blood cultures where listeria is grown?
‘tumbling motility’ on wet mounts
CSF findings in listeria
- high lymphocytes
- raised protein
- low glucose
What antibiotic is listeria usually sensitive to?
Amoxicillin
Treatment of listeria meningitis
IV amoxicillin and gentamicin
Why are pregnant women more likely to develop listeria?
changes in the immune system
How can foetal/neonetal listera infection be transmitted from mother to baby?
transplacentally and vertically during childbirth
Complications of foetal/neonatal lsiteria infection
- miscarriage
- premature labour
- stillbirth
- chorioamnionitis
