Treatment of listeriosis

OBJECTIVE: To review the most currently accepted treatment options for We t reatment of listeriosis. DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1996-October 1999). Key search terms included Listeria monocytogen es, food-borne illness, penicillins, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and vancomycin. DATA SYNTHESIS: Listeriosis is mainly a food-borne illness caused by L. mon ocytogenes; People most prone to the disease are pregnant women, newborns, elderly, and those with HIV or other diseases compromising immunity. Lister ia injections are associated with a high mortality rate, and thus effective antibiotic treatment is essential, Although a variety of antibiotics have activity the organism; ampicillin alone or in combination with gentamicin r emains the treatment of choice. Some patients may alternative therapies due to allergies or certain disease states. Second-line agents for these cases include trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole erythromycin, vancomycin, and the f luoroquinolones. Cephalosporins are not active against Listeria. CONCLUSIONS: Ampicillin is currently the drug of choice for treating L. mon ocytogenes infections. Many antibiotics have been shown to be effective and are used as second-line agents. However, further study is required for som e of the most recently introduced such as the fluoroquinolones, to determin e their place in the treatment of Listeria infections.