Listeria monocytogenes infection in pregnancy is particularly linked to which outcome due to soft cheese consumption?

• A. Neonatal tetanus
• B. Congenital rubella
• C. Spontaneous abortion
• D. Neonatal pneumonia

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that Listeria infection during pregnancy often leads to fetal loss because the bacteria can cross the placenta and infect the fetus after ingestion, especially from contaminated soft cheeses. Listeria monocytogenes has a tendency to invade cells and survive inside phagocytes, enabling transmission from mother to fetus and causing placental infection that can result in spontaneous abortion, particularly in early pregnancy. Although infection later in pregnancy can lead to neonatal sepsis or meningitis, the classic association tested is abortion due to placental infection from soft cheese exposure. The other conditions listed are not typical outcomes of Listeria infection acquired in this way.