Treatment of listeriosis

OBJECTIVE: To review the most currently accepted treatment options for We treatment of listeriosis. DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1996-October 1999). Key search terms included Listeria monocytogenes, food-borne illness, penicillins, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and vancomycin. DATA SYNTHESIS: Listeriosis is mainly a food-borne illness caused by L. monocytogenes; People most prone to the disease are pregnant women, newborns, elderly, and those with HIV or other diseases compromising immunity. Listeria 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 remains 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 fluoroquinolones. Cephalosporins are not active against Listeria. CONCLUSIONS: Ampicillin is currently the drug of choice for treating L. monocytogenes infections. Many antibiotics have been shown to be effective and are used as second-line agents. However, further study is required for some of the most recently introduced such as the fluoroquinolones, to determine their place in the treatment of Listeria infections.