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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThose at highest risk of a listeria infection include:
- Pregnant women and their babies. Pregnant women are significantly more susceptible to listeria infections than are other healthy adults. In fact, nearly one-third of listeria infections occur during pregnancy, according to the CDC. Although a listeria infection may cause only a mild illness in the mother, consequences for the baby may include miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or a potentially fatal infection after birth.
- People who have weak immune systems. This includes older adults and anyone who has AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease or other conditions that affect the immune system, as well as those who take medications to block rejection of a transplanted organ.
References
- Bortolussi R. Listeriosis: a primer. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008; 179:795.
- Listeriosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/listeriosis_gi.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Listeria: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whillist.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
- Gelfand MS. Treatment, prognosis, and prevention of Listeria monocytogenes infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 12, 2009.
