A Case of Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteremia in a Middle-aged Woman with a History of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Authors

Caleb Smack, Wake Forest UniversityFollow
Jared T. Lausen, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion UniversityFollow
Aaron Mills, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0005-7942-0693 (Lausen)

DOI

10.25884/4jz5-1d42

Document Type

Case Report

Subcategory

Infectious Disease

Abstract

In this report, we discuss the case of a patient with Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia likely resulting from primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) induced cirrhosis. We aim to bolster the body of literature on Listeria bacteremia and establish PBC as a risk factor for this rare complication. Our patient, who presented with sepsis, was subsequently found to have Listeria bacteremia and received intravenous antibiotic treatment of ampicillin for 3 total weeks with complete resolution of her disease. This is the first case suggesting that cirrhosis as a result of PBC may be an independent risk factor for Listeria bacteremia. In patients at increased risk, it is important for physicians to consider listeriosis and provide adequate and timely treatment with ampicillin, penicillin, or gentamicin.

Recommended Citation

Smack C, Lausen JT, Mills A. A Case of Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteremia in a Middle-aged Woman with a History of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Eastern Virginia Medical Journal. 2026; 2(1). doi: 10.25884/4jz5-1d42.