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Listeriosis risk increased in older adults, pregnant Hispanic women
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Those who are older, Hispanic or pregnant have a higher risk for listeriosis in the United States, according to investigators from the CDC and FDA, who recommend further research to better understand the effects of age and underlying conditions on listeriosis risk in this population.
“Previous research indicates that, more than for most other foodborne pathogens, a consumer’s susceptibility is the leading risk factor for listeriosis,” Regis Pouillot, PhD, DVM, of the FDA, told Infectious Disease News. “This study not only confirms, but also quantifies the higher risk of listeriosis among different subpopulations.”
Age, pregnancy status and ethnicity were evaluated to identify the RR of listeriosis among 762 cases identified between 2004 and 2009 that were included in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network; 64 cases were excluded from the analysis.
The RR for nonpregnant women aged 45 to 59 years was 4.7 (95% CI, 3.3-6.8) vs. 53.8 among those aged older than 85 years (95% CI, 37.3-78.9). In addition, when compared with non-Hispanics, the RR for listeriosis was higher among Hispanics (RR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.5).
When the researchers compared the RR between pregnant and nonpregnant women, the risk was highest among pregnant women (RR=114.6; 95% CI, 68.9-205.1). Overall, the RR was higher for Hispanic women compared with non-Hispanic women and increased during the study period: from 2004 to 2006, the RR was 1.9 (95% CI, 1-3.3) and from 2007 to 2009, the RR was 4.8 (95% CI, 3.1-7.1).
“Additional data are currently being gathered by the CDC to better characterize the impact of various underlying conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and immunosuppressive therapy, on the increased risk with age,” Pouillot said. “These data will help to inform risk-assessment research at the FDA, which in turn informs risk-management decisions.”
References:
Pouillot R. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54:s405-S410.
Disclosures:
The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.