Bacterial endocarditis produced by Listeria monocytogenes. Case presentation and review of literature.

A patient with endocarditis produced by Listeria monocytogenes is presented, the twelfth such case reported. A review of the available literature shows that the infection has involved only the left side of the heart, has not been associated with debilitating diseases, and carries a significant mortality rate. Otherwise, clinical and laboratory features have been the same as those of usual forms of bacterial endocarditis. It is pointed out that the Listeria organism is commonly mistaken for Erysipelothrix and diphtheroids and that a battery of tests should be employed before one disregards these microorganisms as "contaminants".