Silent threat: Listeria monocytogenes as a rare but potentially fatal cause of early septic abortion

Ahmad Tajudin, Edahayati and Mokhtar, Nur Aqilah and Faisal, Ummu Salamah and Zainulabid, Ummu Afeera and Mat Jelani, Anilawati (2023) Silent threat: Listeria monocytogenes as a rare but potentially fatal cause of early septic abortion. In: APCCMI 2023 The 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection & The 26th Conference of the Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology, 6-8 Jul 2023, Seoul, Korea. (Unpublished)

Preview	PDF (Poster) - Presentation Download (5MB) | Preview
	PDF (Abstract & certificate) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (564kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Listeriosis is a food-borne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes that can affect certain populations such as pregnant women more frequently due to their weaker cellular immunity and consumption of high-risk food items. Listeria monocytogenes can be transmitted from a mother to her fetus, breaching the placental barrier and potentially resulting in fetal death. This case report describes a rare occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia in a pregnant woman. It led to septic abortion at 12 weeks of gestation. The patient presented with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Blood investigations revealed leukocytosis, anemia, and transaminitis. The patient was empirically administered with ampicillin and metronidazole. Subsequent blood and placental cultures confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infection. The patient's blood culture was positive for Gram-positive bacilli, which later grew as small grey to translucent colonies with a narrow zone of β hemolysis on blood agar. A similar colony was identified from placental culture. The hanging drop method showed a characteristic tumbling motility. The CAMP test was positive. Subsequently, a phenotypic strip test was done, revealing L. monocytogenes with good discrimination of 95.4%. The patient was treated with ampicillin. Her transaminitis fully resolved after two weeks, with negative follow-up blood culture. Risk factors for invasive listeriosis in this patient included consuming raw salads and sushi. This case highlights the importance of considering L. monocytogenes as a potential cause of septic abortion, especially in pregnant women with suspected bacterial infections and high-risk eating habits.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Additional Information:	7459/106105
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes, septic abortion
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC111 Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine
Depositing User:	Asst. Dr. Ummu Afeera Zainulabid
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2023 12:05
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 12:05
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/106105

Actions (login required)

View Item