Listeriosis, 2019

Sixteen listeriosis cases were reported in 2019. All were hospitalized, and 3 died. The median age of cases was 65 years (range, newborn to 94 years). Twelve (75%) had Listeria monocytogenes isolated from blood, 1 from cerebrospinal fluid, 1 from peritoneal fluid, 1 from pleural fluid, and 1 from a joint aspirate. Three cases were pregnancy-associated: two pregnant women who had a positive culture from blood, one who was still pregnant at 27 weeks and one who suffered a fetal demise; and a neonate who had a positive culture from blood and who survived. Eleven cases were white, 2 were Asian, 1 was black, 1 reported other race, and 1 had unknown race; 1 was of Hispanic ethnicity. The 16 cases was twice the median number of cases reported from 1996 through 2017 (median, 8 cases; range, 3 to 19). No cases were part of recognized outbreaks in 2019.

In 2019, national case definitions were modified to include “probable” cases of listeriosis. In 2019, 3 probable cases were identified: two were a mother/ infant pair where a blood specimen from the mother was culture-independent test positive at a clinical laboratory, but had no growth at the PHL and could not be tested; and, one was the mother of the culture-positive newborn who was not tested but was assumed to be infected.

• Find up to date information at>> Listeriosis (Listeria)
  
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019