Background & Objective: Assessment of the extent of the role of L. monocytogenes in human spontaneous abortions, using isolation methods and PCR analysis for the presence of actA and InlB genes.
Methods and Materials: In this descriptive study, vaginal swabs were collected from 96 women with spontaneous abortions who referred to Tehran`s hospitals. The samples were cultured in to Listeria specific media (PALCAM agar). Then, the Listeria genus was verified by differentiation biochemical tests, such as, hemolysis on Blood agar, Catalase and Oxidase reactions, and motility at room temperature. PCR technique was performed on all samples and detected the actA and InlB genes of L. monocytogenes.
Results: In culture, 7 of 96 samples were positive for L.monocytogenes. With the PCR technique, actA and InlB genes were detected from 12 and 2 vaginal samples, respectively.
Conclusions: The occurrence of pathogenic L. monocytogenes in cases of spontaneous abortions was 12.5%. It seems that the actA and InlB genes have important roles as essential virulence factors in pathogenic L.monocytogenes. The results show the PCR method is more sensitive, easier and faster than culture to detect L.monocytogenes.