A point-source foodborne listeriosis outbreak: documented incubation period and possible mild illness.
Listeria bacteremia occurred in 2 pregnant women whose only common exposure was attendance at a party. The incubation period, the possibility of mild disease due to Listeria infection, and foods associated with risk of disease were evaluated. Ten (28%) of 36 party attenders met a case definition, which included isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from blood or stool or two of the following: fever, musculoskeletal symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. One of 25 stool cultures was positive. The 2 blood isolates and 1 stool isolate were serotype 4b and identical by enzyme typing. The incubation periods for illness in the 2 pregnant women were 19 and 23 days. Consumption of large amounts of shrimp, nonalcoholic beverages, Camembert cheese, and cauliflower was significantly associated with illness. Eating shrimp remained a significant risk factor for illness after controlling for consumption of other foods. This study suggests a milder illness may exist in healthy persons who consume foods contaminated with L. monocytogenes and demonstrates a prolonged incubation period for disease.
Riedo
F X
FX
Connecticut State Department of Health Services, Hartford.
Pinner
R W
RW
Tosca
M L
ML
Cartter
M L
ML
Graves
L M
LM
Reeves
M W
MW
Weaver
R E
RE
Plikaytis
B D
BD
Broome
C V
CV
D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004282:Documentation; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000503:physiopathology; D012703:Serotyping; D013997:Time Factors