Successful treatment of maternal listeria monocytogenes bacteremia in the first trimester of pregnancy: A case report and literature review

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jun;57(3):462-463. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2018.04.025.

Abstract

Objective: To report detailed clinical history and management of maternal listeria infection in the first trimester.

Case report: A 34-year-old woman at 11 gestational weeks was infected by Listeria monocytogenes with clinical symptoms of acute onset of a fever with subsequent headache and neck stiffness, and was treated with intravenous ampicillin at 2 g every 4 h for 3 weeks. A healthy, unaffected male baby was delivered at term. Histopathologic examination of the placenta did not reveal any chorioamnionitis, granulomas, microabscesses or vasculitis. The neonate developed well without any neurologic compromise at a six-week postnatal follow-up visit.

Conclusion: A favorable outcome of maternal listeria infection in the first trimester may be anticipated. Besides, intravenous ampicillin with or without gentamicin should be a reasonable treatment option for maternal listeria infection in the first trimester.

Keywords: Ampicillin; First; Listeria monocytogenes; Pregnancy trimester.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Adult
  • Ampicillin / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Gentamicins / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification
  • Listeriosis / diagnosis
  • Listeriosis / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gentamicins
  • Ampicillin