title: Perinatal listeriosis underdiagnosed as a cause of pre-term labour?
abstract: Between April 1, 1985, and April 1, 1986, four cases of perinatal listeriosis were reported at the Maastricht Academic Hospital. All cases were of the early-onset type. All mothers were admitted for pre-term labour between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation. Pre-natal symptoms included maternal fever, non-characteristic influenza-like manifestations, leucocytosis and (pre-term) meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Two neonates died, one in utero and one due to listeriosis sepsis. Another neonate developed a hydrocephalus. Only one neonate has survived without damage up to now. Such a high incidence of listeriosis and the high perinatal morbidity and mortality rates are remarkable. Epidemiological, bacteriological and placental sequelae of Listeria monocytogenes are discussed.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Hospital, State University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Valkenburg
authors: G G
authors: GG
authors: Essed
authors: H V
authors: HV
authors: Potters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis