Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study was sought to detect the effect of Listeria monocytogenes on pregnant Iraqi women at Al-Diwaniya hospitals and determination of virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 360 specimens including blood, urine, vaginal and endocervical were collected from 90 patients with spontaneous abortions. Blood samples were displayed to immunological study and remaining specimens were subjected to bacteriological diagnosis. PCR was used to determine the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes. RESULTS: Fifteen positive samples (16.6%) of patients and thirteen isolates (14.5%) from patients were recognized based on ELISA and PCR assay respectively. The general isolation of L. monocytogenes strains in cases of abortive women was 13/270 (4.8%). L. monocytogenes strains were highly virulent because of presence of virulence factors associated genes, namely actA, hlyA, plcA and prfA in all strains. Multiple drug resistance (MAR) index values of 15.4% of isolates were >0.2. CONCLUSION: It is necessary for conducting susceptibility testing and to select the suitable antibiotics and avoid the effects of these bacteria in pregnant women.