Listeriosis is a rare foodborne
infection caused by
Listeria monocytogenes. It is 12–20 times more prevalent in
pregnant women compared to the general
population, with a 20–40% mortality rate in
neonates. Early
treatment with appropriate
antimicrobial agents is critical for
pregnancy outcomes; however, the
infection is difficult to control because the nonspecific clinical manifestations and rarity of the
disease often preclude
early diagnosis. We encountered 2 cases of
pregnancy-associated
listeriosis that occurred at 29 and 37 weeks of
gestation. Both
neonates were delivered by emergent
cesarean section due to fetal condition, and one of the
preterm infants died immediately after
birth.
Pregnancy-associated
listeriosis should be considered in the management of unexplained
fever or inflammatory conditions in
pregnant women.