Early-onset listeriosis in prematurity.

Listeria monocytogenes has been recognized as a human pathogen for more than 70 years. It causes illness mainly in pregnant women, newborns, elderly, and immunocompromised persons. Although L. Monocytogenes is a relatively uncommon pathogen in neonates, it can cause considerable morbidity and mortality in this age group, especially in the early-onset form of the disease. In Taiwan, neonatal listeriosis is rarely reported. We report one case of a premature newborn with early-onset listeria sepsis and meningitis.