Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)

1999 Case Definition

The 1999 case definition appearing on this page was re-published in the 2003 CSTE position statement 2003-ID-01 (available at http://www.cste.org/PS/2003pdfs/2003finalpdf/03-ID-01Revised.pdf). Thus, the 1999 and 2003 versions of this case definition are identical.

Clinical description

In adults, invasive disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes manifests most commonly as meningitis or bacteremia; infection during pregnancy may result in fetal loss through miscarriage or stillbirth, or neonatal meningitis or bacteremia. Other manifestations can also be observed.

Laboratory criteria for diagnosis

  1. Isolation of L. monocytogenes from a normally sterile site (e.g., blood or cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] or, less commonly, joint, pleural, or pericardial fluid)
  2. In the setting of miscarriage or stillbirth, isolation of L. monocytogenes from placental or fetal tissue

Case classification

Confirmed: A clinically compatible case that is laboratory-confirmed

Comment:

The usefulness of other laboratory methods such fluorescent antibody testing or polymerase chain reaction to diagnose invasive listeriosis has not been established.

See also:

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