Listeriosis in Portugal: An Underreported Infection
Author Information
Author(s): Almeida Gonçalo N, Gibbs Paul A, Hogg Tim A, Teixeira Paula C
Primary Institution: Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Hypothesis
What is the incidence and impact of listeriosis in Portugal over the past decade?
Conclusion
The study shows that listeriosis poses a significant public health threat in Portugal, despite being underreported.
Supporting Evidence
- 35 cases of listeriosis were identified from 1994 to 2003.
- The mortality rate for listeriosis cases was greater than 17%.
- In 2003, the incidence of listeriosis in Portugal was at least 1.4 cases per million inhabitants.
Takeaway
This study found that listeriosis is a serious disease in Portugal, even though not many cases are officially reported.
Methodology
A retrospective study was conducted by collecting data from 23 hospitals and a National Institute of Health delegation regarding clinically confirmed listeriosis cases from 1994 to 2003.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to underreporting and lack of comprehensive data collection.
Limitations
The data collected may not be exhaustive as listeriosis is not a notifiable infection in Portugal, and not all healthcare units were contacted.
Participant Demographics
The age of patients varied from newborns to 85 years, with a predominance of males.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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