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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
Published on: October 2, 2018
Listeria monocytogenes-associated endovascular infections: A study of 71 consecutive cases
Michka Shoai-Tehrani1, Benoit Pilmis1, Mylène M Maury2
1Institut Pasteur, French National Reference Center, WHO Collaborating Center for Listeria, Paris, France; Université de Paris, Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
Insights
Listeria monocytogenes endovascular infections, including vascular and heart valve issues, primarily affect older adults with comorbidities. Mortality for Lm-associated endocarditis is notably high, underscoring the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) endovascular infections are infrequently characterized.
- These infections present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features, management, and outcomes of Lm-associated endovascular infections.
- To highlight the severity and specific manifestations of these rare infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 71 culture-proven cases of Lm endovascular infections.
- Data collected from the French National Reference Center for Listeria (1993-2018).
Main Results:
- The study identified 71 cases, predominantly affecting older men (median age 75) with comorbidities.
- Infections manifested as vascular aneurysms/prosthetics (60% rupture rate) or endocarditis (41% in-hospital mortality).
- L. monocytogenes was identified in 98% of tissue samples and 64% of blood cultures.
Conclusions:
- Endovascular listeriosis is a severe, rare infection manifesting as vascular disease or endocarditis, often in elderly patients with prosthetic devices and comorbidities.
- Mortality in Lm-associated endocarditis is double that of other pathogens, necessitating prompt recognition and treatment.
Background:
Listeria monocytogenes-associated endovascular infections are not well characterized.
Methods:
Retrospective study of 71 culture-proven cases reported to the French National Reference Center for Listeria from 1993 to 2018.
Results:
Seventy-one cases were identified: 42 with vascular aneurysms/prosthetic infections, 27 with endocarditis, 2 with both. Fifty-eight were men (82%); median age was 75 years [46-92]; 93% reported co-morbidities (66/71), including 50% with immunosuppressive conditions. Vascular infections consisted of infected aneurysms (68%) or prosthetic graft infections (32%); vascular rupture was reported in 25/42 (60%). Tissue samples grew L. monocytogenes in 98% (43/44) and blood cultures in 64% (27/42). Endocarditis cases involved prosthetic or native valves or intracardiac devices in respectively 62% (18/29), 28% (8/29) and 10% (3/29). Infected valves were aortic (62%, 16/26), mitral (31%, 8/26) or both (8%, 2/26); 38% patients required surgery; 45% displayed heart failure; 17% had concomitant neurolisteriosis. In-hospital mortality in vascular infections was 12% (5/42) and 41% (12/29) for Lm-associated endocarditis.
Conclusions:
Endovascular listeriosis is a rare but severe infection. It manifests as vascular infections and endocarditis, mostly in older patients with vascular or cardiac valve prosthetic devices and co-morbidities. Mortality in Lm-associated endocarditis is twice higher than with other pathogens, requiring prompt recognition and treatment.
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