Listeria monocytogenes infection in pregnant guinea pigs is associated with maternal liver necrosis, a decrease in maternal serum TNF-a concentrations, and an increase in placental apoptosis

Stillbirths and spontaneous abortions can result when pregnant women are exposed to the food borne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Fetuses and neonates account for one-third of the 2500 cases annually. The objectives were to determine the dose dependent trends of immunological and pathological eff...

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Published in:Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2008-10, Vol.26 (2), p.123-129
Main Authors: IRVIN, Elizabeth Ann, WILLIAMS, Denita, VOSS, Kenneth A, SMITH, Mary Alice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human bacterial diseases
Infectious diseases
Listeria monocytogenes
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Teratology. Teratogens
Toxicology
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Summary:Stillbirths and spontaneous abortions can result when pregnant women are exposed to the food borne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Fetuses and neonates account for one-third of the 2500 cases annually. The objectives were to determine the dose dependent trends of immunological and pathological effects in pregnant guinea pigs after infection with L. monocytogenes. Timed pregnant guinea pigs were treated on gestation day (gd) 35 with doses of 10 super(4) to 10 super(8) colony forming units (CFUs) and sacrificed on gd 56. Hepatic lesions were found in dams treated with >=10 super(5)CFUs. Apoptosis was detected in significantly more placentas from dams treated with >=10 super(6)CFUs compared to controls. Maternal serum TNF-a concentrations were significantly decreased in all dose groups compared to controls. In conclusion, increases in premature delivery, maternal hepatic effects and placental apoptosis along with a decrease in TNF-a concentrations were associated with L. monocytogenes infection in pregnant guinea pigs.
ISSN:0890-6238
1873-1708
DOI:10.1016/j.reprotox.2008.07.007