Isolation of listeria monocytogenes and determination of its antibody titers in women suffering from abortion

Abstract

Abstract Background: Listeria moncytogenes is an important cause of meningitis, septicemia, stillbirth, neonatal sepsis and spontaneous abortion. Objective: The purpose of this study was to detect Listeria monocytogenes by serologic and bacteriologic methods in women suffering from abortion. Methods: 120 specimens including placenta or curretage material were cultured on blood agar and palcam agar and kept at 37oc for 48-72 hrs. Also Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) were used as subculture media at 4oc for a period of 6 months. Colonies were identified using several biochemical tests. 120 sera from above patients and 60 sera from control group were also used for the investigation of Listeria specific antibody by indirect immunofluorescence method. Findings: 2.5% of specimens were positive bacteriologically, that had significant relationship with the serologic results (P