Listeriosis risk factors
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pregnant women, neonates, elderly persons, patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity, and transplant recepients on immunosuppressants are at a higher risk for Listeria infection than healthy children or adults and are more likely to develop serious illness such as life-threatening bacteremia and meningoencephalitis.[1]
Risk Factors
Pregnant Women
About one in seven (14%) cases of listeriosis occurs during pregnancy. Infection during pregnancy can cause fetal loss (miscarriage or stillbirth), preterm labor, and illness or death in newborn infants. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to by infected. Pregnant Hispanic women are about 24 times more likely than the general population to get listeriosis.[2]
Older Adults
More than half (58%) of Listeria infections occur among adults 65 and older. Adults 65 years and older are about 4 times more likely than the general population to be infected.[2]
People with Weakened Immune Systems
Individuals within this group also have a higher risk for infection due to underlying medical conditions such as cancer and immunosuppresive therapy (i.e., steroids, chemotherapy, radiation), liver or kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and HIV/AIDS. AIDS patients are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
Newborn Babies
Newborn babies suffer the most serious effects of listeriosis in pregnancy.
References
- ↑ Lorber, B. (1997). "Listeriosis". Clin Infect Dis. 24 (1): 1–9, quiz 10-1. PMID 8994747. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Vital signs: Listeria illnesses, deaths, and outbreaks--United States, 2009-2011". MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 62 (22): 448–52. 2013. PMID 23739339. Unknown parameter
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