Dietetic Technician Practice Test

Which group has the highest risk when contracting listeriosis?

1. Infants

2. Children, aged 1-5

3. Older adults

4. Pregnant women

The correct answer is: Pregnant women

Pregnant women are at the highest risk for contracting listeriosis due to several physiological and immune system factors associated with pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's immune system undergoes changes that make it less effective at fighting off certain infections, including listeriosis. This bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, can easily cross the placental barrier and infect the developing fetus, leading to severe complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in the newborn. While infants, older adults, and young children are also susceptible to listeriosis, the unique vulnerabilities of pregnant women put them at a particularly heightened risk. Therefore, dietary recommendations for pregnant women often emphasize avoiding high-risk foods such as unpasteurized dairy products and certain deli meats to reduce the risk of listeriosis and protect both the mother and the fetus.