Investigation, clinical characteristics and impact on delivery of Listeria monocytogenes disease in pregnant women in a certain region

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical infection characteristics and delivery status of Listeriosis monocytogenes in pregnant women in a certain region， and to investigate the risk factors of infection cases to identify high-risk foods and risk factors， providing information for clinical diagnosis and treatment and improving pregnancy outcomes.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 10 cases of Listeriosis monocytogenes confirmed in a certain region from May 2020 to January 2023. The study investigated Listeriosis monocytogenes and analyzed the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of the cases.ResultsTen pregnant women had consumed fruits stored in the refrigerator， overnight meals， and various cold dishes before the onset of illness. The results of environmental sample testing in the homes of the 10 pregnant women showed that a total of 18 strains of Listeriosis monocytogenes were detected in the smear samples， mainly from kitchen chopping boards and food in the refrigerator. The gestational weeks of the 10 pregnant women infected with Listeriosis monocytogenes ranged from 16 to 38 weeks， with an average of （27.10±7.09） weeks. Nine cases had fever symptoms， eight cases had decreased fetal movement， accompanied by abdominal pain， nausea， and other digestive symptoms. Among the 10 pregnant women with Listeriosis monocytogenes， one case of fetal death occurred in utero， two cases of miscarriage， three cases of premature delivery， four cases of full-term delivery， and 85.71% （6/7） of newborns had Listeriosis monocytogenes infection.ConclusionListeriosis monocytogenes pregnant women often occurs in the middle and late pregnancy， and is related to maternal dietary habits， food， and environmental cross-infection. Maternal infection with listeria monocytogenes does not have characteristic clinical manifestations， and adverse pregnancy outcomes may still occur after anti-infection， which may also cause neonatal infection. Health education on listeriosis should be strengthened to raise maternal vigilance and attention to the disease， and to prevent and control listeriosis.

Keywords

• pregnant and pregnant women
• listeriosis monocytogenes
• investigation
• clinical features