title: Human listeriosis in Britain, 1967-85, a summary of 722 cases. 2. Listeriosis in non-pregnant individuals, a changing pattern of infection and seasonal incidence.
abstract: Clinical information was collected on 722 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections in humans occurring in Britain between 1967 and 1985. This series comprised 34% (248 cases) associated with pregnancy and 66% (474 cases) in non-pregnant adults and juveniles. The cases not associated with pregnancy comprised: 76% in patients with severe underlying illness (of which 34% had central nervous system infections, and 42% bacteraemia without involvement of the central nervous system); 21% in previously healthy individuals (of whom 18% had meningitis); and 3% in patients without bacteraemia or involvement of the central nervous system. Cases occurred most often in male patients over 40 years of age. The overall mortality was 44%. Overall, the pattern of infection has altered to a disease of higher incidence, affecting most often susceptible non-pregnant individuals and the unborn. An annual increase in incidence of listeriosis occurred in the autumn in all categories of patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiological Reagents and Quality Control, Central Public Health Laboratory, London.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLauchlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012737:Sex Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology