Abstract: Two regions of northern Spain, Gipuzkoa, and Cantabria present high annual incidence
of listeriosis (1.86 and 1.71 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). We report that
the high annual incidences are a consequence of infection with highly virulent Listeria
monocytogenes isolates linked to fatal outcomes in elderly patients with cancer. In
addition, listeriosis patients with cancer present low IL-17A/IL-6 ratios and significantly
reduced levels of anti-GAPDH1?22 antibodies, identified as two novel biomarkers of poor
prognosis. Analysis of these biomarkers may aid in reducing the incidence of listeriosis.
Moreover, GAPDH1?22-activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells of listeriosis patients
with cancer seem useful tools to prepare clinical vaccines as they produce mainly Th1
cytokines.
