Listeria septicaemia following insertion of a dynamic hip screw: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Listeria monocytogenes is a food borne bacterial pathogen which is rarely encountered in the United Kingdom. This rare and potentially life threatening infection has a high mortality rate and therefore requires early antimicrobial intervention.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A case report of a patient who developed Listeria septicaemia following insertion of a dynamic hip screw is described. This 84 year old immunocompromised lady had a mechanical fall at home, from which she sustained a left neck of femur fracture. She had a background of rheumatoid arthritis, and for the last 10 years had been taking 5mg prednisolone daily. After early surgical intervention with a dynamic hip screw, she developed Listeria septicaemia, following which she was treated successfully with ampicillin and gentamicin.

DISCUSSION

Infection with unusual pathogens is not uncommon amongst immunocompromised patients. Regardless of the cause, this cohort of patients' requires increased post operative surveillance to ensure that such a complication does not go unnoticed.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates the importance of having a low threshold for investigation in immunocompromised patients whilst also stressing the significance of early diagnosis and intervention.