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Imaging InlC Secretion to Investigate Cellular Infection by the Bacterial Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: September 19, 2013
Analysis of Clinical and Microbiological Features of Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Xingbing Lu1, Huan Yang1, Yanxi Wang1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Listeria monocytogenes infections can cause severe meningitis, particularly in adults using immunosuppressants or hormone drugs. Early treatment with sensitive antibiotics like penicillins and carbapenems is crucial for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen causing invasive infections, including meningitis.
- Understanding risk factors and clinical features is vital for managing severe cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the demographics and clinical features of Listeria monocytogenes infections.
- To identify predisposing conditions for severe Listeria meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 59 Listeria monocytogenes cases from 2009-2020.
- Epidemiological and clinical data extracted from electronic medical records.
- Univariate and multifactorial logistic regression to identify risk factors for meningitis.
Main Results:
- 42.37% of patients developed neuroinvasive infection.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6), CD3+T, CD4+T, and CD8+T cell levels were elevated.
- Hormone drug use (OR=3.21) and immunosuppressants (OR=3.06) predicted severe meningitis.
- Ampicillin, carbapenems, quinolones, and beta-lactamase inhibitors were common treatments.
Conclusions:
- Listeria infection alters immune cell profiles (IL-6, T cells).
- Long-term immunosuppressant and hormone use are risk factors for severe adult Listeria infections.
- Early empiric treatment should include sensitive antibiotics like penicillins and carbapenems.
Introduction:
To analyze the demographics and clinical features of 59 cases of Listeria monocytogenes, and determine the predisposing conditions for severe meningitis infections for reference.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 59 cases isolated L. monocytogenes from 2009 to 2020 were enrolled. Electronic medical record data were used to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of L. monocytogenes infection. Univariate and multifactorial logistic regression analyses were performed to predict risk factors for Listeria meningitis.
Results:
A total of 59 cases (median age of 52 years, 30 females and 29 males) were enrolled. Twenty-five patients (42.37%) developed a neuroinvasive infection. The indexes of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CD3+T, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In univariate analysis, the use of hormone drugs (odds ratio=3.21, P=0.000) and immunosuppressive agents (odds ratio=3.06, P=0.000) were relevant predictors of severe meningitis. 47 patients (79.66%) were treated with ampicillin (27.12%), carbapenems (18.64%), quinolones (11.86%), and β-lactamase inhibitors (11.86%) as the primary agents of antimicrobial therapy. Thirty-four patients (57.63%) showed clinical improvement, five patients (8.47%) had a poor prognosis, and two patients (3.39%) died.
Conclusion:
Infection with Listeria changed the levels of IL-6, CD3+T, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells, and these analyzing items were significantly different between L. monocytogenes and other bacterial infections. Long-term use of immunosuppressants and hormones may be risk factors for severe adult forms of Listeria-related infections. Sensitive antibiotics, such as penicillins and carbapenems, should be added or replaced in the early empiric treatment of L. monocytogenes.

