Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of Listeria spp. in feces of HIV-infected and -uninfected pregnant women in Brazil.
Methods: Cross-sectional study. Women on their second or third trimester of pregnancy were submitted to a clinical questionnaire and feces collection. The feces were inoculated on selective media and identification by biochemical tests combined with PCR.
Results: A total of 213 pregnant women were enrolled: 73 (34%) HIV-infected and 140 (66%) -non-infected. The prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in feces of HIV-infected women were 8.2% and 2.7%. In the HIV-uninfected were 8.6% and 2.9% (p-values = 0.98 and 0.66, respectively).
Conclusion: The prevalence of fecal carriers of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes was not associated with HIV infection during pregnancy.
Keywords: Foodborne pathogen; HIV positive pregnant women; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria spp.; Pregnant women.
© 2021. Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.