Risk Factors, Clinical Features, and Outcomes of Listeriosis in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients: A Matched Case-Control Study

Background. Solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients are classically considered to be at increased risk for listeriosis. However, risk factors for this infection have not been assessed. Methods. We carried out a multicenter, matched case-control study (1:2 ratio) from January 1995 through December 2007. Control subjects were matched for center, transplant type, and timing. Conditional logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors. Clinical features and outcomes for all case patients were reviewed. Results. Thirty patients (0.12%) with cases of listeriosis were identified among 25,997 SOT recipients at 15 Spanish transplant centers. In a comparison of case patients with 60 matched control subjects, the following independent risk factors for listeriosis were identified: diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.6–19.6;), history of cytomegalovirus infection or disease within the preceding 6 monthsPp.00