A 28-year-old primigravid woman at 31 weeks' gestation comes to the physician because of fever, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea for 3 days. Her pregnancy has been uncomplicated. Her only medication is a prenatal vitamin. Her temperature is 39.4°C (102.9°F). Physical examination shows diffuse abdominal pain. Blood cultures incubated at 4°C (39.2°F) grow a gram-positive, catalase-positive organism. Which of the following organisms is most likely responsible for this symptoms?

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Eductional Objective: Listeria is a relatively common foodborne illness associated with outbreaks after the consumption of contaminated food, particularly processed meats and dairy products.  Healthy patients may develop gastroenteritis; patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity are at risk for invasive infection (eg, sepsis, meningoencephalitis); and listeriosis in pregnancy is associated with adverse fetal outcomes (eg, fetal death, premature birth).

A 28-Year-Old Primigravid Woman at 31 Weeks' Gestation Comes to the Physician