Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2010 Mar;53(3):287-290. 10.5468/kjog.2010.53.3.287.

Second trimester listeriosis followed by fetal death in utero (FDIU): A case report

• Shin JJ
• Choe JY
• Kim SM
• Lee SM
• Oh KJ
• Park CW
• Park JS
• Jun JK
• Park SH
• Syn HC

• KMID: 2273855
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/kjog.2010.53.3.287

Abstract

Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a gram positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium. Listeriosis occurs primarily in newborn infants, elderly patients, immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. One third of the patients are pregnant women, and complications of this disease include miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm labor. We experienced a case of listeriosis in a singleton pregnancy at 23rd week of gestation that presented with fever, chill, lower abdominal pain, backache, and eventually resulted in fetal death in utero. Autopsy results of the stillborn baby, as well as blood and amniotic fluid culture of the mother confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infection. Proper antibiotics therapy thereafter led to clear recovery of the infected mother. We report this case with a brief review of literature.

Keyword

Listeria; Amniocentesis; Culture; Fetal death; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Abortion, Spontaneous
Aged
Amniocentesis
Amniotic Fluid
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Autopsy
Back Pain
Communicable Diseases
Female
Fetal Death
Fever
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Infant, Newborn
Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeriosis
Mothers
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnant Women
Stillbirth
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

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  Figure 1 The dead fetus before fixation shows disseminated whitish papules all over the surface, sparing its face and scalp.

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  Figure 2 Fetal right lung shows disseminated whitish spots on the surface.

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