Abstract

The authors report an unusual case of prosthetic hip joint infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The patient, an 87-year-old lady who had undergone a right total hip replacement 10 years previously, presented with pain and restriction of hip motion three weeks after an episode of abdominal pain. Aspiration of the joint yielded a dark fluid, from which Listeria Monocytogenes type 4-b was isolated. Blood cultures remained negative. After prolonged antibiotic therapy, symptoms gradually resolved. A few months later, pain recurred with radiological signs of loosening of the femoral component. One-stage revision arthroplasty was performed combined with antibiotic treatment. The patient remains asymptomatic at one year follow-up. Laboratory data and x-ray control are normal. Prosthetic hip joint infection with Listeria monocytogenes is uncommon; few cases have been reported. The literature review shows that prolonged antibiotic therapy alone may be used in patients for whom removal of the prosthesis is not desirable, although revision arthroplasty or prosthesis removal remains necessary in the other cases.