BACKGROUND: Human listeriosis is an uncommon infection caused by the Gram-positive organism Listeria monocytogenes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of therapeutic gastric acid suppression on faecal isolation of L. monocytogenes and the incidence of human listeriosis. METHODS: Five stool specimens from each of 20 patients on continuous H2-antagonist therapy and two faecal samples from each of 47 healthy controls were investigated for the presence of Listeria spp. RESULTS: A higher faecal isolation rate of L. monocytogenes was detected amongst the patients (20%) compared with the controls (2.1%) (P < 0.025). All subjects with stools positive for Listeria spp. were female, this sex difference being significant in the patient group (P < 0.0036) compared with controls. No patient, however, developed listeriosis. CONCLUSION: Patients on long-term gastric acid suppressive therapy may be at increased risk of faecal carriage of L. monocytogenes.
BACKGROUND:Human listeriosis is an uncommon infection caused by the Gram-positive organism Listeria monocytogenes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of therapeutic gastric acid suppression on faecal isolation of L. monocytogenes and the incidence of human listeriosis. METHODS: Five stool specimens from each of 20 patients on continuous H2-antagonist therapy and two faecal samples from each of 47 healthy controls were investigated for the presence of Listeria spp. RESULTS: A higher faecal isolation rate of L. monocytogenes was detected amongst the patients (20%) compared with the controls (2.1%) (P < 0.025). All subjects with stools positive for Listeria spp. were female, this sex difference being significant in the patient group (P < 0.0036) compared with controls. No patient, however, developed listeriosis. CONCLUSION:Patients on long-term gastric acid suppressive therapy may be at increased risk of faecal carriage of L. monocytogenes.
Authors: Charline Maertens de Noordhout; Brecht Devleesschauwer; Juanita A Haagsma; Arie H Havelaar; Sophie Bertrand; Olivier Vandenberg; Sophie Quoilin; Patrick T Brandt; Niko Speybroeck Journal: Euro Surveill Date: 2017-09-21