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Listeria Placental Infection
José A Vázquez-Boland1, Emilia Krypotou2, Mariela Scortti2
1Division of Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute and Edinburgh Medical School (Biomedical Sciences), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom v.boland@ed.ac.uk.
Mbio
|June 29, 2017
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a severe foodborne illness. This review covers how this bacterium infects the maternofetal system, particularly in pregnant women, leading to severe complications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium causing listeriosis, a severe foodborne infection.
- Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to listeriosis, which can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal infections.
- Unlike other infections, Listeria can cause fetal complications without obvious maternal illness, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of maternofetal listeriosis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of Listeria transmission from mother to fetus.
- To discuss findings in the context of recent research using a nonhuman primate model.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pathophysiology and transmission mechanisms.
- Analysis of recent studies, including a nonhuman primate model of transplacental infection.
Main Results:
- Listeria monocytogenes can cross the placental barrier, leading to fetal infection.
- Maternal infection may not present with severe symptoms, complicating early detection.
- The nonhuman primate model provides insights into transplacental infection dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Listeria's maternofetal transmission is crucial for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Early detection and intervention strategies are vital for managing listeriosis in pregnant women.
- Further research, including animal models, aids in deciphering infection pathways.
