Author/Editor		Abram, Maja; Schlueter, Dirk; Vučković, Darinka; Wraber, Branka; Dorić, Miljenko; Deckert, Martina
Title		Murine model of pregnancy-associated Listeria monocytogenes infection
Type		članek
Source		FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 35
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 177-82
Language		eng
Abstract		Listeria monocytogenes has been recognized as a significant pathogen, occurring worldwide, capable of causing animal and human infections. In its most severe form, listeriosis is an invasive disease that affects immunocompromised patients. Additionally, pregnant women represent a high-risk group for L. monocytogenes infection. Abortion, stillbirth or severe neonatal infection can be the serious outcome of such an infection. In an experimental murine model of pregnancy-associated listeriosis we studied the impact of L. monocytogenes on the maternal immune response and pregnancy outcome. in comparison to virgin animals, pregnant mice mounted lower levels of protective cytokines and were inable to eliminate the pathogen. The impaired maternal immune response that has been found both on the systemic and local level, faciliated bacterial multiplication in the liver, placenta and ultimately in the fetal tissues. This resulted in severe necrotizing hemorrhagic hepatitis and Listeria-induced placental necrosis, inereasing the incidence of postimplantation loss and poor pregnancy outcome.
Descriptors		PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS, INFECTIOUS LISTERIA INFECTIONS HEPATITIS MICE ABORTION, VETERINARY CYTOKINES FETAL DEATH FETAL DISEASES PREGNANCY OUTCOME PREGNANCY PLACENTA DISEASES NECROSIS MODELS, ANATOMIC