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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: May 27, 2015
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the heart caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection
Amos Adler1, Angela Fimbres, John Marcinak
1Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. amosad@gmail.com
Abstract:
Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the heart is rare and of unknown etiology. We present a case of cardiac IPT caused by Listeria monocytogenes that evolved following gastroenteritis in a previously healthy child. L. monocytogenes, known to cause acute invasive infections, has not been reported previously as a cause of cardiac infection in children or of IPT. The literature concerning infectious IPT is reviewed.
Insights
A rare cardiac inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) in a child was caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection. This case highlights a novel infectious etiology for pediatric cardiac IPT, previously unreported.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cardiac inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare condition with an unknown cause.
- Infectious etiologies for cardiac IPT are infrequently reported, especially in pediatric cases.
Observation:
- A previously healthy child developed cardiac IPT following gastroenteritis.
- The causative agent identified was Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium known for invasive infections.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of cardiac IPT in a child caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
- The study reviews existing literature on infectious causes of IPT.
Implications:
- Listeria monocytogenes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric cardiac masses.
- This finding expands the known spectrum of Listeria monocytogenes-associated infections and cardiac pathology.
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