Primary cutaneous listeriosis in adults: an occupational disease of veterinarians and farmers.

Seventeen cases of cutaneous listeriosis in adults are reviewed. The condition appeared as papular or pustular lesions on the arms or hands, and was most often acquired as an occupational hazard from infected animals. The cases were all mild and were resolved successfully. However, listeric infections are potentially fatal, and as the initial cause of the lesion may be unknown, it is recommended that veterinarians and farmers should have suspect lesions examined microbiologically.