Frequency of Listeria monocytogenes occurrence in 2nd and 3rd trimesters in pregnant women referred to Emam khomeini and Razi hospitals in Ahvaz –Iran

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium, found in soil, water,decaying vegetables, and milk products. Listeriosis is transmitted from animals to humans.This bacterium causes an influenza-like illness, or self-limiting enteritis. It may lead toserious disease in the elderly, infants, pregnant women and those who are immunecompromised. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to detect L. monocytogenes in vaginal specimens by the culture and PCR methods, and perform a comparison between them. Patients and Methods: A total of 354 women (mean age 32.3 ± 4.6 years) from January to June , 2013 were included in this study. Vaginal specimens were cultured on PALCAM agar medium and the suspected colonies of L. monocytogenes were evaluated by PCR using primers for hly A gene. This gene is specifying the species of L. monocytogenes. Results: Eight samples out of 354 were positive for L. monocytogenes by culture (seven in3rd and one in 2nd trimester). All positive samples confirmed by PCR. Four under studywomen who their samples were positive by culture and PCR had abortion in their history(50%). Conclusions: This fact that the culture and PCR of 50% of women who had abortion became positive confirms the important role of L. monocytogenes in the abortion of pregnant women.

Keywords:

vaginal specimens , Listeria monocytogenes , culture , PCR