June 2015 Quiz 2

Q2: ANSWER: A

Critique

This pregnant patient has features compatible with Listeria monocytogenes infection. In any pregnant patient presenting with fever, Listeria needs to be considered after ruling out common conditions such as a urinary tract infection given the high morbidity associated with this condition. Blood cultures are used to make the diagnosis of Listeria, while stool and vaginal cultures are not helpful. While CSF cultures can be used in cases of Listeria meningitis, the yield of blood cultures is higher. Urine cultures are unlikely to add additional information in this patient’s case given the negative urine dipstick.

Reference

1. Jackson, K.A., Iwamoto, M., Swerdlow, D. Pregnancy-associated listeriosis. Epidemiol. Infect. 2010;138:1503-9.

Q2: ANSWER: A

Critique

This pregnant patient has features compatible with Listeria monocytogenes infection. In any pregnant patient presenting with fever, Listeria needs to be considered after ruling out common conditions such as a urinary tract infection given the high morbidity associated with this condition. Blood cultures are used to make the diagnosis of Listeria, while stool and vaginal cultures are not helpful. While CSF cultures can be used in cases of Listeria meningitis, the yield of blood cultures is higher. Urine cultures are unlikely to add additional information in this patient’s case given the negative urine dipstick.

Reference

1. Jackson, K.A., Iwamoto, M., Swerdlow, D. Pregnancy-associated listeriosis. Epidemiol. Infect. 2010;138:1503-9.

Q2: ANSWER: A

Critique

This pregnant patient has features compatible with Listeria monocytogenes infection. In any pregnant patient presenting with fever, Listeria needs to be considered after ruling out common conditions such as a urinary tract infection given the high morbidity associated with this condition. Blood cultures are used to make the diagnosis of Listeria, while stool and vaginal cultures are not helpful. While CSF cultures can be used in cases of Listeria meningitis, the yield of blood cultures is higher. Urine cultures are unlikely to add additional information in this patient’s case given the negative urine dipstick.

Reference

1. Jackson, K.A., Iwamoto, M., Swerdlow, D. Pregnancy-associated listeriosis. Epidemiol. Infect. 2010;138:1503-9.