Molecular Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Iraq with Whole-Genome Analysis of a Representative Isolate

Background

Pregnancy-associated listeriosis can cause severe fetal and obstetric complications, yet molecular epidemiological data from Iraq remain limited. This study integrated clinical and epidemiological data with PCR-based virulence profiling of Listeria monocytogenes isolates and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of one representative clinical isolate.