Resumo

GARMENDIA, Yolanda et al. Listeriosis in pregnant woman: case report. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2008, vol.28, n.2, pp.145-149. ISSN 1315-2556.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a bacterium widely distributed in nature which has been isolated from several animal and is capable of producing disease in human beings, especially when there are predisposing conditions. Pregnant women, their fetuses, aged persons and immunosuppressed individuals are susceptible. Listeriosis during pregnancy can produce intrauterine infection resulting in severe complications such as spontaneous abortion, preterminal deliveries and neonatal infections, resulting in high morbility and mortality. We present the case of a 39 years old patient with a 13-week pregnancy who was submitted to a cerclage technique. She later presented bacterial meningitis. Culture of spinal fluid, blood and urine, among others, were done and Lm was isolated from haemocultures. Finally she was moved to another institution for ventriculo-peritoneal drainage, where she later died. This is the first case of a severe Lm infection in a pregnant woman at the Concepción Palacios Maternity Hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, reported in the literature.

Palavras-chave : Listeria monocytogenes; listeriosis; pregnancy; sepsis.