First-trimester maternal Listeria monocytogenes sepsis and chorioamnionitis with normal neonatal outcome.

A secundigravida developed culture-proved Listeria monocytogenes sepsis with signs and symptoms of chorioamnionitis at 13 weeks' gestation. Pregnancy termination was refused, and she was treated with intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol. Fifteen days after initiation of therapy, an amniotic fluid culture was negative, although uterine tenderness persisted for 7 weeks. A healthy, culture-negative infant was delivered at term.