Chronic prosthetic joint infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes

We report what is to the best of our knowledge the first case of persistent human listeriosis. A housewife underwent excision of a leiomyosarcoma and implantation of a prosthetic knee device. Infection of the device with Listeria monocytogenes occurred and persisted for 2 years. Despite having an allergy to ampicillin, the patient was cured solely by antibiotics and without surgery.