Listeriosis Due to Infection with a Catalase-Negative Strain of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>

Abstract

A strain of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from blood and cerebrospinal fluid had no detectable catalase activity, a characteristic used for primary identification. The sporadic occurrence of pathogenic catalase-negative strains highlights the need for a reconsideration of diagnostic criteria and questions the role of catalase in the pathogenesis of listeria infection.