[Significance of new results in the research on human listeriosis]

Abstract

In former years, especially between 1963 and 1969, in the GDR the listeriosis of pregnants, prematures, and newborns played a significant role, and the infantile mortality was influenced in a most unfavourable way. Since 1970 frequency of listeriosis diminished definitely in the GDR. - We present the route of embryo-infection of the most frequently occurring connatal listeriosis and the consequences there of for mother and child. - Investigations on Listeria-excretion in pregnants show that 34 (= 31%) of 110 morefold examined pregnants excreted Listeria in their feces. Particularly the distribution of serovars, excretion frequency with regard to duration of pregnancy, season, as to primipara and multipara was investigated. All 34 excretors are delivered of healthy babies. A treatment with antibiotics of pregnants excreting Listeria is no longer recommended. - With reference to the epidemiology, listeriosis should be indicated as geonosis or sapronosis because the infectious reservoir is the human environment. The bacteriological diagnosis of listeriosis can be accomplished with approved and successful methods especially the storage of specimens in thioglycolat broth at + 4 degrees C over a period of 26 weeks and the cultivation on tryptose-agar with nalidixine acid and trypaflavin. - Chemotherapeutics for infected mothers, adults, and newborns are the ampicillins, the ureidopenicillins, and antibiotic-combinations (ampicillin with gentamycin). Preventive measures are especially the avoidance of dirt- and smear-infections and the contact with ill animals. In maternity hospitals infected mothers should be separated to elude hospital infections; the same request is accepted in newborn wards.