Related Experiment Videos
[Listeriosis in patients with malignant hemopathy. 3 cases in the same hospital ward]
J Fontan1, A Brion, E Deconinck
1Service d'Hématologie, Hôpital J. Minjoz, Besançon.
Abstract:
During the listeriosis epidemic which occurred in France in the summer 1992, three patients with malignant haematopathies hospitalized in our service contracted the disease. Although the retrospective investigations were hindered by the variable incubation period and the impossibility of examining the foods eaten at the time of infection, there was a high probability that two of the patients had been infected by cooked ham and dairy products at home. The third patient was apparently infected in hospital with well-cooked food found to be contaminated. The hypothesis of coinfection has been raised.
Insights
Three patients with malignant haematopathies contracted listeriosis during a 1992 French epidemic. Investigations suggested home-prepared foods and hospital food as likely sources, with potential coinfection in one case.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Food Safety
Background:
- Investigating a listeriosis outbreak in France during summer 1992.
- Focusing on three hospitalized patients with malignant haematopathies.
Observation:
- Retrospective investigation faced challenges due to variable incubation periods and food consumption data limitations.
- Two patients likely contracted listeriosis from home-consumed cooked ham and dairy products.
- A third patient possibly acquired listeriosis within the hospital from contaminated, well-cooked food.
Findings:
- Confirmed listeriosis cases in immunocompromised patients during a specific epidemic period.
- Identified probable foodborne transmission routes, including both home and hospital environments.
- Raised the possibility of coinfection in one of the affected patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the risk of listeriosis in vulnerable patient populations, such as those with malignant haematopathies.
- Underscores the importance of stringent food safety measures in both domestic and healthcare settings.
- Suggests the need for further research into coinfection dynamics in listeriosis outbreaks.