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Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: May 27, 2015
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[Listeria endocarditis]
M Marschner1, C Hausdorf2,3, K Schlatterer4,5
1Abteilung für Innere Medizin/Kardiologie, Sankt Gertrauden-Krankenhaus, Berlin, Deutschland.
Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany)
|November 22, 2022
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes infections are rare but can cause severe illness, including endocarditis. Early diagnosis and collaborative treatment are crucial for managing this serious bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Microbiology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes infections are uncommon in clinical practice.
- Infections can manifest with non-specific symptoms or severe septic courses.
- Potential organ involvement includes cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, and bone structures.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old male with a history of mitral valve replacement and pacemaker presented with fever and coagulopathy.
- Transesophageal echocardiography identified mitral valve endocarditis with early abscess formation.
- Blood cultures confirmed Listeria monocytogenes growth after 20 hours.
Findings:
- Despite prompt antibiotic therapy, the mitral valve endocarditis progressed.
- Cardiosurgical intervention became necessary due to disease progression.
- Listeria monocytogenes was identified as the causative agent of endocarditis.
Implications:
- Effective diagnosis of Listeria endocarditis necessitates collaboration among cardiologists, imaging specialists, and laboratory personnel.
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing Listeria as a potential cause of severe organ manifestations.
- Increased awareness can lead to earlier detection and improved patient outcomes for Listeria infections.
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