Listeria endocarditis in a patient with psoriatic arthritis on infliximab: are biologic agents as treatment for inflammatory arthritis increasing the incidence of Listeria infections?

The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents such as infliximab as treatment modalities of inflammatory joint diseases has widely spread over the past few years. However, increasing numbers of reports of infectious complications during TNF-a blockade have also highlighted the fact that an increased rate of sometimes life-threatening complications may be the price paid for superior therapeutic efficacy. We report the first case report of Listeria endocarditis associated with infliximab use and the second published case of Listeria infection associated with infliximab in patients with psoriatic arthritis. We also summarize the literature regarding the association of Listeria infection with use of infliximab. Further studies are needed to elucidate the contribution of anti-TNF-a therapy to development of listeriosis. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of Listeria infection in individuals receiving anti-TNF therapy.