Infected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to Listeria monocytogenes

A 79-yr-old man was known for a year with a deteriorating clinical condition, vague abdominal complaints and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate; he was afebrile. Extensive evaluation revealed no cause for his progressive disease. Eventually an infected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was diagnosed, from which Listeria monocytogenes was cultured. After resection of the aneurysm the patient recovered initially very well. Regrettably, therapy-resistant chylous ascites developed, and the patient died due to surgical complications following a second laparotomy. Infected aortic aneurysms can present as an insidious disease, which may have catastrophic consequences if undiagnosed. A high index of suspicion is required to make a correct diagnosis. L. monocytogenes is an emerging, food-borne pathogen that can cause a wide spectrum of human diseases.