Molecular detection of Listeria monocytogenes from aborted women

Abortion, an involuntary and spontaneous termination of pregnancy, can be influenced by various factors, including potentially unknown ones. Bacterial infections play a significant role in some cases. Listeria monocytogenes, a facultatively pathogenic microorganism, can lead to the serious illness known as listeriosis, a major foodborne disease globally. This study aimed to assess the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in placental tissue and vaginal swabs of women experiencing abortion through biochemical and molecular analyses. The conducted in 2023 in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq, a total of 125 samples were collected. The molecular testing involved PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene specific to L. monocytogenes. The study yielded 125 bacterial isolates (10.4% of samples), with all L. monocytogenes isolates (100%) containing virulence genes (inlA, plcA, iapA). The detection of L. monocytogenes is a matter for concern and should be considered by healthcare providers for appropriate management. Approximately 175 million pregnancies are recorded globally each year, with around 45 million pregnancies ending in abortion