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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:38
Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food
Published on: May 6, 2013
Pregnancy-associated listeriosis
K A Jackson1, M Iwamoto, D Swerdlow
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. gqv8@cdc.gov
Epidemiology and Infection
|February 18, 2010
Summary
Pregnancy-associated Listeria monocytogenes infection caused fetal loss and newborn illness. Education on avoiding risky foods like Mexican-style cheese is crucial to reduce these cases.
Area of Science:
- Foodborne illness
- Maternal and child health
- Infectious disease epidemiology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes infection during pregnancy poses risks for fetal loss and neonatal invasive disease.
- Pregnancy-associated listeriosis represents a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology of pregnancy-associated Listeria monocytogenes infections.
- To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with listeriosis in pregnant women and newborns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of Listeria monocytogenes cases reported to the U.S. Listeria Initiative from 2004-2007.
- Classification of cases as pregnancy-associated if illness occurred in pregnant women or infants under 28 days old.
Main Results:
- 128 (16.9%) of 758 reported Listeria cases were pregnancy-associated.
- Maternal infection led to 4 neonatal deaths and 26 fetal losses (20.3%).
- Hispanic ethnicity and consumption of Mexican-style cheese were identified as risk factors for pregnant women.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women represent a substantial proportion of Listeria cases.
- Reducing pregnancy-associated listeriosis requires targeted education on food safety and industry efforts to minimize Listeria contamination in food products.
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