[Neonatal listeriosis (based on 43 cases)].

Using results in 43 cases from two neonatal units (Paris-Tours), the authors emphasize the essential facts concerning neonatal listeriosis. 1 -- Incidence: -- of an infectious maternal disease (32 cases out of 43), -- of permaturity (60% of cases), -- and of foetal distress (72%). 2 -- Clinical study: Early neonatal infectious are the only forms seen; clinical signs appear before the first day (40 out of 42). These is septicaemia with mainly respiratory signs (olypnoea, laboured breathing). Their presence and clinical history should incite to take swabs of the orifices and carry out blood culture. The new-born are given double antibiotherapy (penicline and aninoside or kanamycine and gentalline) while waiting for laboratory reports. This routine treatment based on maternal past history and on mild clinical signs at this stage has improved the prognosis of these septicaemias (16 deaths out of 43 children).