IS LISTERIOSIS A PROBLEM FOR PHYSICIANS - RESULTS OF PROSPECTIVE SURVEY

In a prospective study, 151 cases of suspected listeria were reviewed. A bacteriological confirmation was obtained in 16 %. Probable diagnos is was obtained in 17 %. The diagnosis was other in 60 %. 13 cases wer e only bacteriological without clinical suspicion. 100 patients had a predisposing factor; the clinical presentation which evocated listerio sis were neurologic infectious and flulike illness in pregnant woman. Difficulties occured in immunocompromised and old persons; fever was o ften only clinical sign. When listeriosis diagnosis was evocated, the antimicrobial therapy was correct.