Listeriosis, 2018

Nine listeriosis cases were reported in 2018. All were hospitalized, and 2 died. The median age of cases was 75 years (range, newborn to 92 years). Five had Listeria monocytogenes isolated from blood, 2 from pleural fluid, 1 from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and 1 from bile. Two cases were pregnancy-associated; both were neonates who had a positive culture from blood and who survived. Eight cases were white, and 1 was Asian/Pacific Islander; none were of Hispanic ethnicity. The 9 cases was similar to the median number of cases reported from 1996 through 2017 (median, 7.5 cases; range, 3 to 19). In 2018, 1 case was part of a multistate outbreak of 10 cases in 7 states associated with avocadoes.

In 2018, 1 case with L. monocytogenes isolated from a stool specimen was reported. The case was tested as part of a stool donation program, reported no symptoms, and was not included in official case counts; however, the isolate was closely related to a national case isolate by whole genome sequencing.

• For up to date information see>> Listeriosis (Listeria)
  
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2018