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

The Journal of Infection
|February 11, 2009
PubMed

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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