Understanding the Risks and Prevention of Listeriosis During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction:

It is important to be conscious of what to put inside the body while pregnant. Always be aware of what is safe to consume and what is not because certain foods may cause Listeria during pregnancy. Listeria is a type of bacteria that can be found in some contaminated foods.

Listeria can harm both the pregnant woman and the unborn child. Although it is uncommon, pregnant women are more prone to contracting listeriosis than healthy adults who are not pregnant. Listeria infection during pregnancy will be covered in more detail in this article.

What Is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is an infectious condition caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This bacteria is typically found in the natural environment, such as soil, water, decaying plants, and animal intestines. Moreover, it can be found in processed meals, unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized milk-based products, raw meats, and uncooked vegetables. Cooking and pasteurization both kill Listeria. Eating Listeria-contaminated food usually does not cause difficulties in healthy persons who are not pregnant. Listeriosis is uncommon in healthy, non-pregnant persons, but it can occur up to 20 times more frequently in expectant mothers.

Why Is Listeriosis More Serious for Pregnant Women?

During pregnancy, the immune system is lowered due to the effect of the progesterone hormone. Thus, listeriosis is more likely to affect pregnant women. The bacteria L. monocytogenes can spread to the unborn child through the placenta, but pregnant women who are infected may only have mild flu-like symptoms or even show no symptoms. However, the fetus is extremely vulnerable to this type of bacterium. Listeria infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can result in miscarriage. When the third trimester of pregnancy begins, listeriosis can cause preterm birth, low birth weight delivery, or even baby mortality. Around half of the newborns infected at or near delivery may die.

What Are the Symptoms of Listeriosis During Pregnancy?

Symptoms might appear anywhere between two days and two months after being exposed to the bacteria. Healthy individuals who are not pregnant typically exhibit no symptoms. Symptoms in pregnant women may resemble flu or cold symptoms. They may consist of

• Fever.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Confusion.

• Headaches.

• Muscle aches.

• Chills.

• Stiff neck.

How Could Listeriosis Affect Both Pregnant Women and Their Babies?

Listeriosis will have a significant negative influence on women’s health during pregnancy unless they have an underlying illness that affects the immune system. If they are not treated right once, the infection might have serious effects on the unborn child.

Listeria can induce miscarriage or stillbirth by infecting the placenta, amniotic fluid, and the developing child. Babies that survive the infection are likely to be born prematurely. Many will be born seriously ill or will become ill shortly after birth, with issues such as blood infection, trouble breathing, fever, skin sores, lesions on many organs, and central nervous system diseases such as meningitis. Some infected infants will pass away or experience long-term effects like intellectual disabilities, paralysis, convulsions, blindness, or issues with the brain, kidneys, or heart. Some newborns of infected mothers appear healthy at birth but develop indications of illness, generally meningitis, a week or even several weeks later. This late-onset listeriosis could be caused by a newborn becoming infected during labor and delivery.

What Are the Complications of Listeriosis During Pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman has listeriosis, they may be more likely to experience:

• Miscarriage.

• Premature delivery.

• Stillbirth.

• Deliver a low birth weight infant.

• Fetus death.

• Bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain).

• septicemia (blood infection).

Infection in newborns can cause the following complications:

• Pneumonia.

• Septicemia.

• Bacterial meningitis.

• Death.

How Is Listeria Diagnosed?

It can be challenging to diagnose Listeria. A blood culture will be performed by the doctor to test for the presence of bacteria. They might ask about the patient's symptoms and recent food patterns. The cultures may take up to two days to develop. The doctor might begin treating the listeriosis patient even before they receive the test results because it is so severe for the infant.

What Is the Incubation Period for Listeriosis?

• The interval between exposure to the infection and the onset of symptoms is known as the incubation period.

• Although the incubation period for listeriosis during pregnancy is unknown, several studies have suggested that it could last up to six weeks.

• Typically, the incubation period is considered for clinical purposes around eight weeks (two months).

• For instance, if pregnant women take high-risk foods for two months and then experience fever or other symptoms, they should be instructed to take a blood culture test.

How Is Listeriosis Treated During Pregnancy?

• Antibiotics are used to treat listeriosis.

• Typically, doctors will prescribe Penicillin. Trimethoprim or Sulfamethoxazole may be administered instead if the patient is allergic to Penicillin.

• Babies born with listeriosis receive the same medications (antibiotics).

How to Prevent Listeriosis During Pregnancy?

It is important to stay away from the following foods when pregnant to prevent Listeria infections:

• Refrigerated smoked seafood.

• Refrigerated meat spreads.

• Unwashed raw fruits and vegetables.

• Unpasteurized (raw) milk and dairy products manufactured from it, such as soft cheeses.

• Hot dogs, lunch meats, and cold cuts served cold or cooked to less than 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Guidelines Are Followed to Prevent Listeriosis?

It is crucial to follow the rules for handling and handling food. These consist of:

• Even if the skin will be peeled, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly in clean water.

• Use a clean brush to scrub firm food like melons and cucumbers.

• Check the ingredient labels and the expiration dates.

• Regularly wash hands.

• In the kitchen, always keep the preparation surfaces clean.

• Maintain the fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

• Regularly clean the refrigerator.

• Foods should be cooked to the proper temperature. Ensure that foods are cooked or reheated to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit by using thermometers.

• Perishable or prepared food and leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours of preparation; otherwise, they should be discarded.

Conclusion:

Listeriosis is usually harmful in infants. It has a fatality rate ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent. Early antibiotic treatment helps to prevent fetal infection and other serious consequences. Not all infants born to infected mothers will have complications. So, it is advisable to have a thorough understanding of it so that people can seek medical assistance as soon as possible, especially in high-risk individuals like pregnant women. It is suggested to eat healthy foods and practice proper hygiene. Avoid high-risk foods, especially refrigerated foods with long shelf life.