[Increased incidence of listeriosis diseases in Lower Saxony, 1983]

During 1983 an unusual high incidence of listeriosis in man was observed in parts of Lower Saxony. 24 strains of Listeria monocytogenes--all serotyp 4b--were isolated from 10 newborn infants, 3 children and 11 adults suffering from meningitis and sepsis. All of the affected newborns and children recovered with antibiotic therapy.