[Listeriosis: case report and repetitorium]

Three cases of listeriosis are presented: The first patient was a 72-year-old man, who had an operative removal of a thymom one and a half year ago. In 1983 he developed polyradiculitis and was treated with cortison. Three months later he developed meningeal symptoms. In the cerebrospinal fluid 10(5) per ml Listeria monocytogenes could be isolated. Under treatment with chloramphenicol and gentamycin he was cured. The second case was a female 84-year-old patient, who suddenly developed drowsiness and meningism. In the cerebrospinal fluid Listeria in low concentration was isolated. In spite of therapy with penicillin G and gentamycin in high dosage the patient got centralnervous spasms and died on the second day. The third patient was a premature born infant (31. week of pregnancy) with shortness of breath and hydrocephalus, that was treated with ventriculo-peritoneal shunts on both sides. In her fourth month she got a shunt-defect; Listeria in low concentration was isolated out of the cerebrospinal fluid. Treated with gentamycin intrathecal and amoxycillin she was successfully cured. Epidemiology, pathogenesis and new knowledge about diagnosis and therapy of Listeria are presented.