Listeria monocytogenes: Maternal-foetal infections in Denmark 1994–2005

Abstract

Maternal-foetal infection by Listeria monocytogenes is a rare complication in pregnancy. In the period 1994-2005, 37 culture-confirmed cases of maternal-foetal Listeria monocytogenes infections were reported in Denmark. We examined 36 patients' files in order to evaluate risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings, response to therapy, and outcome for maternal-foetal listeriosis. Patient data and bacteriological findings were divided into 2 groups for comparison: 1 group with children born alive (n=24) and another group with abortion or stillbirth (n=12). 23 of the 36 children survived the acute infection, as did all the mothers. The mothers were generally only mildly affected by the infection. In contrast, among the children born alive, 15 were diagnosed with bacteraemia/septicaemia, 3 children with pneumonia, 3 with neonatal meningitis, and 3 were unaffected. Despite the high frequency of illness only 1 of the live-born children died from the infection and none of the surviving children showed signs of permanent damage at the time they were discharged from hospital. Listeriosis during pregnancy is a serious threat to the unborn child. One-third of culture-confirmed cases of maternal-foetal infections resulted in abortion or stillbirth; however, the prognosis for live-born children is good, even in severely ill newborns.

Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes type1 355/98 (85) in meat emulsions as affected by temperature, pH, water activity, fat and microbial preservatives

“…This bacterium can cause miscarriages in pregnant women and meningitis in newborns, children and adults who are immunosuppressed (Donelly, 1994;Posfay-Barbe & Wald, 2004;Seeliger, 1961;Shih-Yu et al, 2007;Smith et al, 2009). L. monocytogenes and Listeria innocua are the most frequently isolated strains in food processing plants.…”

Antibody Targeting the Ferritin-Like Protein ControlsListeriaInfection

“…L. monocytogenes is widely considered to be one of the leading causes of food-borne infections with high case fatalities (40). Also, infection with L. monocytogenes during pregnancy can lead to choriomeningitis and miscarriage (29,37). Immunity to systemic infections in listeriosis has been linked to cellular immunity and more recently to components of the innate immune response (4).…”

Risk of InvasiveHaemophilus influenzaeInfection During Pregnancy and Association With Adverse Fetal Outcomes

“…In a recent US study, 16.9% of Listeria cases were associated with pregnancy, 20.3% of which resulted in fetal loss, and 80% of which occurred during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, 24 whereas a Danish study reported 33.3% fetal loss among pregnant women with L monocytogenes infections. 25 Although unencapsulated H influenzae commonly colonizes the human upper respiratory tract, it can also colonize the female reproductive tract and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.…”