Filling the Gap: A Multicenter Evaluation of Listeriosis and Mortality Predictors in Türkiye

The aim of this study was to characterize invasive listeriosis in Türkiye and identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. This multicenter retrospective observational study included adult patients with laboratory-confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infection from 26 centers between 2015 and 2024. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, and treatment data were collected. Patients were classified based on infection type. Univariate analyses were followed by multivariable logistic regression to determine independent predictors of mortality. A total of 129 patients were included (mean age 62.1 ± 16.9 years; 65.9% male). The in-hospital mortality rate was 54.8%. Deceased patients were older and had more frequent comorbidities. Bacteremia without central nervous system involvement was more common among nonsurvivors. Lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, lower platelet counts, higher CRP levels, and more frequent blood culture positivity were observed in patients who died. In multivariable analyses, higher GCS scores were associated with lower odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.71 per 1-point increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–0.86), as were higher platelet counts (adjusted OR: 0.94 per 10,000/µL increase, 95% CI: 0.89–0.99), whereas blood culture positivity was associated with higher odds of mortality (adjusted OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.04–9.82). Invasive listeriosis is associated with high mortality in Türkiye. Admission GCS score, platelet count, and blood culture positivity were independently associated with mortality and may help identify patients at increased risk of death.