Maternal-fetal listeriosis: 2 case reports.

Two cases of maternal-fetal infection with Listeria monocytogenes are reported. Both women were admitted with influenza-like symptoms and preterm labor at 32 and 34 weeks of gestation, respectively. The infants were delivered within a few days of onset of maternal symptoms. One infant was seriously ill with meningitis and subsequently developed hydrocephalus. The other infant suffered from septicemia, but had no sequelae. It is recommended always to consider the diagnosis listeriosis in pregnant women with fever of unknown origin and preterm labor.