Pleural effusion due to Listeria monocytogenes. A case report and review of the literature

The infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes is a relatively common condition in immunosuppressed patients. The most frequent presentation in adults are sepsis and meningitis. Pleural fluid infection due to this pathogen is a rare finding in the literature. Most cases are found in immunosuppressed patients, particularly in those with haematologic malignancies. We report one case of pleural fluid infection due to Listeria monocytogenes in a patient with hepatic cirrhosis (the third case in the literature). We also review the seventeen cases previously reported and describe the clinical manifestations, its immunosuppression states relationship, the treatment of choice and the mortality.