Research Article
Listeria monocytogenes meningitis and decreased phagocytosis associated with iron overload.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1982; 284 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.284.6315.542 (Published 20 February 1982) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1982;284:542- B S van Asbeck,
- H A Verbrugh,
- B A van Oost,
- J J Marx,
- H W Imhof,
- J Verhoef
Abstract
A patient with Listeria monocytogenes meningitis was found to have idiopathic haemochromatosis and monocytes with reduced phagocytic capacity. The phagocytic function recovered completely after a series of therapeutic phlebotomies. In-vitro iron had a deleterious effect on the phagocytic capacity of monocytes and granulocytes. These findings show that iron overload in the host can increase susceptibility to L monocytogenes infection not only by increasing the virulence of the organism but also by reducing the phagocytic capacity of the monocytes.