LISTERIOSIS COMPLICATING LYMPHOMA - REPORT OF 4 CASES AND INTERPRETIVE REVIEW OF PATHOGENETIC FACTORS

Well known as a pathogen in the newborn, Listeria infection is being recognized more frequently in adults, the organism previously probably having been included among the "diphtheroids." The usual manifestations of listeriosis is meningitis, most commonly in association with lymphoma and/or prolonged therapy with cytotoxic agents or corticosteroids. In this connection the role of the organism as a facultative intracellular parasite is informatively discussed.