Analysis of Pregnancy-Related Listeria monocytogenes: A Case Series and Literature Review

Listeriosis is an infectious disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on four pregnant women and three newborns diagnosed and treated for listeriosis at Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital between May 10, 2015, and June 1, 2023, using descriptive methods. Maternal Case 1 was a 33-year-old woman who underwent cesarean section at full term due to fetal distress, Case 2 was a 32-year-old woman who underwent cesarean section at preterm due to fetal distress, Case 3 was a 32-year-old woman who presented with spontaneous preterm labor, and Case 4 was a 30-year-old woman who underwent induction due to fetal malformation. Among the four pregnant women, initial symptoms included fever (n = 2), abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding (n = 3), and abnormal fetal heart monitoring (n = 2). Laboratory findings showed varying levels of procalcitonin (0.11-0.26 μg/L) and C-reactive protein (15-121 mg/L). Blood cultures of the newborns born in Cases 1 to 3 confirmed Listeria monocytogenes infection. Initial empirical treatment with cephalosporins was adjusted to penicillin, linezolid, or vancomycin based on drug susceptibility testing. Pregnancy-related listeriosis was associated with high feto-neonatal mortality. Clinicians should emphasize the importance of a healthy diet and raise awareness of this condition among pregnant women.