The elusive listeriosis in pregnancy: The Carlisle experience

Abstract

SummaryWe present eight cases of proved listeriosis in pregnancy at the City Maternity Hospital, Carlisle. In 1981, the infection was uniformly lethal to the fetus, contributing about 15 per cent to our perinatal deaths that year. A high index of suspicion and prompt treatment resulted in a two-thirds fetal salvage in 1982. Unfortunately, this clinical watchfulness ‘slipped' in 1987–1988 with the two cases eluding us resulting in fetal wastage. The diagnosis, successful treatment, and hence fetal survival are related to a keen index of suspicion exercised by both general practitioners and physicians.