Cervical Lymphadenitis - A Rare Case of Focal Listeriosis

Abstract

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a condition with a broad differential diagnosis. Malignant tumors, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases as well as various infectious agents can be the cause. We report the case of a 75-year-old man who had a cervical lymphadenopathy without symptoms of infection. The draining lymph nodes were excised. Histology revealed a granulomatous abscess and culture yielded pure growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Because food is occasionally contaminated with L. monocytogenes, the pathogenesis of this condition may be similar to that of lymph node tuberculosis.

Clinical and genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes‐associated mesenteric lymphadenitis in a cat

“…In humans, lymphadenitis caused by L. monocytogenes is rare, but associated with a mortality as high as invasive listeriosis. 9 It has been reported in cervical, inguinal, supraclavicular, or iliac lymph nodes, 9,23 mostly affecting patients of older age (mean age, 65 years) with 1 to 3 immunosuppressive comorbidities (eg, diabetes, alcoholism, ongoing neoplasia, human immunodeficiency virus) 9 and frequently diagnosed with concomitant neoplasia. 9 In animals, fatal cases of mesenteric lymphadenitis cases caused by L. monocytogenes have been described in cattle, 10 and necrotizing lymphadenitis with L. monocytogenes septicemia has been reported in a reindeer calf.…”

“…In humans, lymphadenitis caused by L. monocytogenes is rare, but associated with a mortality as high as invasive listeriosis. 9 It has been reported in cervical, inguinal, supraclavicular, or iliac lymph nodes, 9 , 23 mostly affecting patients of older age (mean age, 65 years) with 1 to 3 immunosuppressive comorbidities (eg, diabetes, alcoholism, ongoing neoplasia, human immunodeficiency virus) 9 and frequently diagnosed with concomitant neoplasia. 9 …”

Fatal mesenteric lymphadenitis in cattle caused by Listeria monocytogenes

“…Necrotising lymphadenitis has been described in a reindeer calf with listerial septicaemia (Evans and Watson 1987). Focal lymphadenitis due to L monocytogenes has also been reported in the cervical lymph nodes of humans (Rosenthal and others 2001). …”