Listeria

• Gram-positive bacillus 
• Main pathogen is Listeria monocytogenes
• Mainly effects pregnant women, neonates and immunocompromised patients.
• Environmental organism which can multiply at refrigeration temperatures and therefore, patēs, cooked chilled food, coleslaw and soft cheeses can be contaminated with this organism.

Main clinical infections:

• In neonates main clinical manifestations are sepsis and meningitis.
• In immunocompromised and the elderly it can cause meningitis.

Usually sensitive to:

• Amoxicillin (aminoglycoside works synergistically)
• Penicillin (aminoglycoside works synergistically)
• Vancomycin
• Chloramphenicol,
• Co-trimoxazole

Usually resistant to:              

• Cephalosporins

Page last edited: 28/09/2006

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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