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[Arthritis due to Listeria monocytogenes]

W Handrick1, I Schwede, T Tomalik

  • 1Institut für Medizinische Diagnostik Oderland, Am Kleistpark 1, 15230, Frankfurt (Oder), Deutschland. w.handrick@Institut-Oderland.de

Zeitschrift Fur Rheumatologie
|January 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A 69-year-old man with liver cirrhosis developed a painful knee infection. Listeria monocytogenes was identified in joint fluid, and treated successfully with cotrimoxazole.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Liver cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for various infections due to impaired immune function.
  • Bacterial septic arthritis can lead to severe joint damage if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
  • Listeria monocytogenes, an opportunistic pathogen, can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • A 69-year-old male patient with a history of liver cirrhosis presented with acute right knee pain and swelling.
  • Synovial fluid aspiration revealed cloudy yellow fluid with a high concentration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
  • Microbiological culture of the synovial fluid isolated Listeria monocytogenes.

Findings:

  • The patient was successfully treated with oral cotrimoxazole, an antibiotic effective against Listeria monocytogenes.
  • The clinical presentation and microbiological findings confirmed Listeria monocytogenes septic arthritis in a patient with liver cirrhosis.
  • The patient experienced an uneventful recovery following antibiotic therapy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering Listeria monocytogenes in the differential diagnosis of septic arthritis, especially in patients with underlying liver disease.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in listerial joint infections.
  • Further research into the specific risk factors and optimal management strategies for listerial septic arthritis in cirrhotic patients may be warranted.

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