Carriage of Listeria monocytogenes and related species in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The faecal, cervico-vaginal and oropharyngeal carriage of Listeria species in 54 healthy pregnant women and 60 healthy non-pregnant women was investigated. Samples were cold-enriched at 4 degrees C and subcultured on selective media containing acriflavin, nalidixic acid and potassium thiocyanate. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the faeces of one pregnant woman (2%) and two non-pregnant women (3.4%). Listeria innocua was isolated from the faeces of one pregnant woman (2%) and one non-pregnant woman (1.7%). Listeria seeligeri was isolated from the faeces of one non-pregnant woman (1.7%). Listeria species were not isolated from cervico-vaginal or oropharyngeal samples. The results indicate that pregnancy does not affect the naturally low carriage rate of Listeria species.