Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacillus which has the unusual ability to multiply at low temperatures. It is typically spread via contaminated food, typically unpasteurised dairy products. Infection is particularly dangerous to the unborn child where it can lead to miscarriage.

Pregnant women are advised to avoid soft cheeses due to increased risk of Listeria infection

PC

can present in a variety of ways:

• diarrhoea, flu-like illness
• pneumonia , meningoencephalitis
• ataxia and seizures

Investigations

Suspected Listeria infection should be investigated by taking blood cultures.

CSF may reveal a pleocytosis, with 'tumbling motility' on wet mounts

Management

• Listeria is sensitive to amoxicillin/ampicillin
• Listeria meningitis should be treated with IV amoxicillin/ampicillin and gentamicin

In pregnant women:

• pregnant women are almost 20 times more likely to develop listeriosis compared with the rest of the population due to changes in the immune system
• fetal/neonatal infection can occur both transplacentally and vertically during child birth