Women under polyclinic care during pregnancy were divided into 3 groups, i.e., women living on farms with animals, women with animal pets in their homes and women with no direct contact with live animals. Fecal samples (5-7) were examined for L. monocytogenes during pregnancy and puerperium, together with 1 sample of neonatal meconium. Of women from farms, with pets and with no live animal contact, respectively, 32%, 39% and 34% of the samples were positive. Of 1337 fecal samples, 116 (8.8%) were positive. Of 87 meconium samples, all but 1 were negative. L. monocytogenes apparently is ubiquitous and lacks typical zoonotic characteristics, although infection through animals may occur.