11. Listeria infection in pregnancy:
| a. | Listeria monocytogenes can flourish at normal refrigerator temperatures | True |
| b. | is associated with premature labour | True |
| c. | occurs in one pregnancy in 1,000 in the UK | False |
| d. | usually causes a flu like illness | True |
| e. | is associated with eating soft cheeses, cook-chilled meals and stored foods such as coleslaw | True |
| f. | is associated with increased intra-uterine death rates | True |
| g. | may be suspected if meconium is present at gestations of < 34 weeks. | True |
This subject is also covered in MCQ paper 5, question 16.
Listeria is one of the few bugs capable of growing at fridge temperatures.
Hence the advice not to eat food stored at such temperatures, e.g. cooked meats, cook-chilled meals, coleslaw etc.
It is classically associated with produce made from non-pasteurised milk such as soft cheeses.
It mostly presents with a flu-like illness and in pregnancy is suspected when a patient is seen with such symptoms, particularly if associated with signs of threatened premature labour.
In addition to the risk from prematurity, there is an increased risk of intra-uterine and neonatal death.
Treatment is with an antibiotic such as ampicillin.
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