Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Imaging InlC Secretion to Investigate Cellular Infection by the Bacterial Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
14:05

Imaging InlC Secretion to Investigate Cellular Infection by the Bacterial Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes

Published on: September 19, 2013

Chronic prosthetic joint infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes

Peter Kleemann1, Eugen Domann2, Trinad Chakraborty2

  • 1Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein Strasse 2, 35032 Marburg, Germany.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This case study details the first reported instance of persistent human listeriosis. A prosthetic knee infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes was successfully treated with antibiotics alone, even with a drug allergy.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Prosthetic joint infections pose significant treatment challenges.
  • Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Leiomyosarcoma treatment can involve prosthetic devices.

Observation:

  • A patient developed a persistent Listeria monocytogenes infection of a prosthetic knee device.
  • The infection persisted for two years despite initial management.
  • The patient had a known allergy to ampicillin.

Findings:

  • Successful eradication of persistent prosthetic joint infection with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Antibiotic therapy alone achieved cure without device removal or further surgery.
  • Treatment was effective despite patient's ampicillin allergy.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for antibiotic-only cure in select persistent prosthetic joint infections.
  • Suggests novel therapeutic strategies for challenging orthopedic implant infections.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering Listeria monocytogenes in prosthetic device infections.

More Related Videos

A Periprosthetic Joint Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse04:37

A Periprosthetic Joint Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

Published on: February 2, 2024

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...