Seroprevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in HIV infected pregnant women from Brazil

Objective: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with serologic response to Listeria monocytogenes in HIV infected and uninfected pregnant women in Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study, pregnant women after 14 weeks of gestational age were enrolled. Positive serologic test for L. monocytogenes was defined as titers >1:80 (agglutination test). Comparisons were performed using logistic regression. Results: A total of 213 women were enrolled, 73 (34%) were HIV infected. 55 women were seroreactive for L. monocytogenes, 27 (37%) HIV-infected and 28 (20%) HIV-uninfected (p < 0.01). Considering the diet record, white cheese consumption was associated with seroreactivity (p < 0.01). In the group of pregnant women living with HIV, the variables associated with L. monocytogenes positive serology were: lower CD4+ cells count at study entry OR=4.8 (95%CI=1.1-19.8) and having neonates admitted to the intensive care unit OR=5.9 (95%CI=1.01-34.9). Conclusion: Positive serology for Listeria monocytogenes was associated with HIV infection. Brazilian women should avoid white cheese during pregnancy. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Automated summary

The study demonstrated an association between HIV infection and positive serologic response to L. monocytogenes, as well as a correlation between white cheese consumption and seroreactivity. Among pregnant women living with HIV, lower CD4+ cell count at study entry and neonates admitted to the intensive care unit were factors associated with positive serology for L. monocytogenes.