Delayed presentation of prosthetic joint infection due to Listeria monocytogenes

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes is rare and has been described in prosthetic valves, stent grafts and prosthetic joints. The route of infection appears to be haematogenous. The choice between conservative treatment with antibiotics or surgical treatment with debridement and revision of the components remains controversial. The best antibiotic treatment is not known with ampicillin being the first choice in most cases. Prosthetic infections with Listeria monocytogenes usually occur in patients with malignancy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, liver disease, elderly patients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The hip is the commonest prosthetic joint affected followed by the knee. We report the seventh case of Listeria monocytogenes infection in a non-immunocompromised patient involving a prosthetic joint.