Genetic Susceptibility to Listeriosis

Listeriosis is a rare, severe foodborne infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), responsible for severe invasive infections. It occurs in the great majority of cases in elderly patients and / or patients with comorbidities, with a deficit of innate or cellular immunity. Pregnancy is also a risk factor.

The Multicentric Observational NAtional Analysis of Listeriosis and Listeria (MONALISA) is an ongoing national case-control prospective study on listeriosis implemented since 2009 to study risk and prognosis factors for listeriosis. In this cohort, which enrolled 902 patients on 1 August 2014, 7% of patients with neurolisteriosis are under 40 years of age and have no identified risk factor. Genetic susceptibility is suspected in these patients. Genetic susceptibility could also explain the inconstant development of a neurolisteriosis or fetal infection, as well as the particular severity of some infections (death, foetal loss, neurological sequelae).

The analysis of the genetically transmitted vulnerability of Lm has not yet been studied, because of the lack of accessibility to prospective cohorts (and their DNA) for this rare and severe infection.

The aim of the study is to identify genetic susceptibility to Listeriosis that will optimize the patient care in terms of treatment and prevention.

Inclusion criteria

for patients with Listeriosis :

• Microbiologically documented Listeriosis (either a severe form of listeriosis, or an atypical form of listeriosis, or less than 40 years old and without any co-morbidity identified)
• Affiliated or beneficiary of a social security system
• Informed and written consent

Inclusion criteria

for volunteers related to patients with Listeriosis (after identifying a genetic susceptibility in the patient with Listeriosis) :

• defined as father, mother, brother (s), sister (s), child (ren), grandparent (s), uncle (s), aunt (s), cousin (s), nephew (s), niece (s).
• Affiliated or beneficiary of a social security system
• Informed and written consent

Exclusion criteria

for volunteers related to patients with Listeriosis:

• Inability to consent