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Listeria monocytogenes empyema in an HIV infected patient

A Marron1, B Rosón, J Mascaró

  • 1Infectious Disease Service, Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Spain.

Thorax
|August 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Listeriosis, a bacterial infection, is rare in HIV patients. This case highlights a rare empyema caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an immunocompromised individual, successfully treated with medication.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Listeriosis is an opportunistic infection, typically presenting as meningitis or bacteremia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients.
  • Pleural fluid infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes are exceptionally rare, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • A specific case of empyema (pus in the pleural space) caused by Listeria monocytogenes is detailed.
  • The patient had a known history of HIV infection, a condition that compromises the immune system.

Findings:

  • The empyema was successfully treated using solely medical interventions.
  • No surgical intervention was required for the resolution of the Listeria monocytogenes pleural infection.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that medical management alone can be effective for Listeria monocytogenes-induced empyema in HIV patients.
  • Highlights the importance of considering rare pathogens in the differential diagnosis of pleural infections in immunocompromised populations.
  • Contributes to the understanding of Listeria monocytogenes infections in the context of HIV and its clinical management.

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