Listeria monocytogenes septicemia associated with consumption of salted mushrooms

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in an 80-year-old man is described. On the day before clinical symptoms appeared the patient had eaten homemade salted mushrooms, rufous milkcap (Lactarius rufus Fr.). L. monocytogenes serotype 4b was isolated in blood cultures. The mushrooms which had been stored in cold for 5 months before consumption contained the same listeria serotype at a level of 10(6) CFU/g. Salt content (NaCl) of the mushrooms was 7.5%. Fever and diarrhea disappeared with penicillin therapy and the patient was discharged after 4 weeks in the hospital.