Mortality risk factors for listeriosis – A 10 year review of non-pregnancy associated cases in England 2006–2015

Abstract

Listeriosisis a foodborne illness that can result in septicaemia, Central Nervous System (CNS) disease, foetal loss and death in high risk patients. ObjectivesTo analyse the demographic trends, clinical features and treatment of non-perinatal listeriosis cases over a ten year period and identify mortality-associated risk factors. MethodsReported laboratory-confirmed non-pregnancy associated cases of listeriosis between 2006 and 2015 in England were included and retrospectively analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for mortality. Results1357/1683 reported cases met the inclusion criteria. Overall all-cause mortality was 28.7%; however, mortality rates declined from 42.1% to 20.2%. Septicaemia was the most common presentation 69.5%, followed by CNS involvement 22.4%. CNS presentations were significantly associated with age < 50 years, and septicaemia with older age. Age > 80 years (OR 3.32 95% CI 1.92–5.74), solid-organ malignancy (OR 3.42 95% CI 2.29-5.11), cardiovascular disease (OR 3.30 95% CI 1.64–6.63), liver disease (OR 4.61 95% CI 2.47–8.61), immunosuppression (OR 2.12 95% CI 1.40-3.21) and septicaemia (OR 1.60 95% CI 1.17–2.20) were identified as independent mortality risk factors. ConclusionsHigh risk groups identified in this study should be the priority focus of future public health strategies aimed at reducing listeriosis incidence and mortality.