Authors: Frank Mulindwa , Hadia Waheed , Skye Maisel , Christian Poblano , Yuktha Shanavas , Manahil Rashid , Jones Zachary

Abstract

Background:

Listeria monocytogenes is known to cause gastrointestinal tract, meningeal and occasionally blood stream infections in immunocompromised patients. It’s often overlooked as a cause of infective endocarditis (IE), more so in patients with prosthetic valves.

Case presentation

We present an 85-year-old Caucasian man who was admitted with unexplained symptoms of predominantly left-sided heart failure. He was found to have Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia on routine admission blood cultures. A follow up trans-esophageal echocardiography revealed aortic valve vegetations. He markedly improved with complete symptom resolution after six weeks of intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin without surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for infective endocarditis in elderly patients with prosthetic valves presenting with Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia, as prompt echocardiographic evaluation and prolonged combination antibiotic therapy can prevent complications

Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, TAVR prosthetic valve, infective endocarditis, Left sided heart failure