Comparative study of Intrauterine Listeriosis by Indirect Immunofluorescence of Serum Antibody and Amniotic Fluid Culturing in Aborted Mother and Preterm Labour

Aim and Background. Listeria monocytogenes is the ethiologic agent of abortion, preterm labour, neonatal septicemia and meningitis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of listeriosis in aborted mothers or preterm labour. Two methods of indirect immunofluorescens (IF) and amniotic culturing also were compared. Material and Method. This is an analytical study for evaluation of laboratory tests. In this research, the blood samples were collected from mothers and their serum were tested by indirect IF for anti-listerial antibodies. Products of aborted fetus or preterm labour (amniotic fluid or a piece of placenta) were obtained as a specimen for culturing. Result. In this study, 518 mothers, 29 cases (5.59%) admitted with preterm labour, 125 cases (24.1%) with repeated abortion and 364 cases (70.31%) with first time abortion. Six cases (1.15%) had higher titer of anti-listeria antibody (1/800) in indirect IF but in 5 cases (0.96%) L.monocytogenes was detected in culture. Conclusions. Indirect IF should be confirmed by culturing of infected specimens. Determining of anti-listerial antibody in pregnant women and selection of listeriosis for antimicrobial treatment may prevent the spontaneous abortion, still birth and preterm labour. Therefore, we suggest monitoring L.monocytogenes seropositivity in pregnant women with high risk of threatened abortion, and also microbiological assessment of symptomatic women for detection of L.monocytogenes and insidious infection.