Listeria monocytogenes infection during pregnancy

Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogenic bacteria found in soil or water being the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe foodborne disease during pregnancy. The outcome can lead up to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and congenital neonatal infections, under occult or overt illness of the mother. We performed a literature review in the medical database PubMed, searching relevant information regarding listeriosis during pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Higher incidences were observed in ethnic minorities, as a reflection of specific dietary habits and where surveillance is not thoroughly implemented. Also, the infection was most commonly seen during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, with maternal presentation under the form of flu-like or pyelonephritis symptoms, or even asymptomatic. Regarding the neonatal infection, there are two types described according to the way of acquiring the bacteria. The obstetric outcome ranges from premature delivery to miscarriage and stillbirth. Treatment of choice is a combination of ampicillin and aminoglycoside. Despite the advances in the field of infectious diseases, challenges remain to completely understand the mechanism of placental invasion of Listeria monocytogenes and the severe consequences on fetal development.