Studies on the Different Methods for Diagnosis and Identification of Listeria Monocytogenes and its Relationship to Habitual Abortion

  SUMMARY A bacteriologic study has been done over 150 placenta (or the remaining of curettage) and vaginal sample in women inflicted with abortion in Kerman. A long with these tests, serologic tests with indirect immunotluorescence were carried out to determine the amount of serum antibodies. These tests were compared with similar samples derived from 70 normal childbirth cases. Listeria was isolated from 2. 7% of placenta and 1.4% vaginal samples in the test group after 75 days of cold enrichment 4 c. Listeria was not isolated from the samples in the control group. By indirect immunofluorescence method.  antibody titer of 1 > 160 was found in both the test and control group. So that 29.3% and 10.6% of the subjects in the test group and 12.9% and 5. 7% in the control group had antibody titer over 1: 160 and 1 :320 respectively. Conclusion: The maximum rate of Listeria isolation from women with abortion was 2. 7% which was isolated from placenta samples after 75 days cold enrichment. No correlation was observed between serological and bacteriological test. Due to cross reaction in serological test, immunofluorescence test should not be used alone in the diagnosis of this bacteria.