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Pneumonia caused by Listeria monocytogenes
M García-Montero1, J L Rodríguez-García, P Calvo
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Listeriosis pneumonia is rare, but this case highlights a potential risk in elderly individuals. Factors like reduced lymphocyte counts and cutaneous anergy may increase susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Pneumonia caused by Listeria monocytogenes is exceptionally rare in clinical practice.
- Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that typically affects immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- An 87-year-old woman, without known underlying immunosuppressive conditions, presented with symptoms of pneumonia.
- Clinical evaluation revealed cutaneous anergy and a reduced total lymphocyte count in the patient.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with pneumonia attributed to Listeria monocytogenes.
- The observed immunological findings (cutaneous anergy, lymphocytopenia) may have contributed to the susceptibility to listerial pneumonia.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Listeria monocytogenes in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia, even in elderly patients without overt immunosuppression.
- Age-related immune changes, such as decreased lymphocyte function, could predispose older adults to uncommon infections.
- Further research may elucidate the specific immunological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to listerial infections in the elderly population.