Fetopathology and developmental pathology of the embryo and fetus: Fetomaternal listeriosis

+ Introduction

+ Support

+ Atlas of fetal pathology

+ Congenital malformations of individual organ systems

Fetomaternal listeriosis

Etiology, pathogenesis

caused by bacterium Listeria monocytogenes which is especially dangerous for imunosuprimated individuals and pregnant women
the source of the infection is contaminated food (unpasteurized milk products etc.)
the placenta is infected by hematogenous and probably also ascendent way and the fetus subsequently swallow and breathe the amniotic fluid
in the fetus a serious diseminated infection with foci in many organs develops

Clinical signs

subfebrilia (of the mother), elevation of the inflammatory markers with spontaneous recovery after the delivery
spontaneous abortion, premature birth of a dead or seriously infected newborn

Macroscopic appearance

placenta: dim fetal membranes and fetal surface of the placenta; on the placenta cut there are whitish nodules similar to infarcts, but smaller
fetus: greyish-yellow focuses of a pin-head size in the liver, adrenals, lungs, purulent inflammation of the meninges, pus in the brain ventricles, pustular rash, small pustules on the mucosa of the GIT

Pictures

Histology

Placenta: besides the chorioamnionitis sometimes severe inflammation of the villous tissue with abscesses is found — acute villitis, intervilous abscesses, villous necrosis and increased deposits of intervillous fibrin
Fetus: in the early course of the disease there are necrotic foci and miliar abscesses in the liver, adrenals, leukocytic infiltration of the meninges, adnate pneumonia and later monocellular reaction and formation of small granulomas

Pictures