Listerial infection in pregnant women and their newborn

ABSTRACT

This study included 100 pregnant women during the last trimester and their newborn. Women were presented with flue-like illness, urinary tract infection and/or fever. Culture from blood CSF, amniotic fluid, placenta and exteranl auditory canal swabs, revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes type 4B in six mothers and five of the newborns. Four neonates presented early after birth with mainly Difficult labor, thicks and dark liquor, low birth weight, respiratory distress with aspiration pneumonia and septicemia. They received intravenous ampicillin and kanamycin immediately. The outcome of these neonates was two deaths [one still born and one died two days later]. One newborn presented after 8 days with meningitis. Gamma IFN level was hardly detected in sera of neonates in the first sample with a very slight increase in the second sample compared with the gamma IFN level in sera of their mothers, where it was detectable in the first sample with double fold increase in their second sample. Placental examination reveal chorioamnionitis with microbasses formation and detection of gram positive coccobacilli. Placental examination for early diagnosis and confirmation of the disease even before it was suspected clinically. It was concluded that newborn and pregnant women with diminished cellular immunity are predisposed to the threat of listerial infection. So, increase awareness of this disease and its prevention is paramount importance