LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES IN THE COLON IN A CASE OF FULMINANT ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

A case of ulcerative colitis in which the presence of Listeria monocyt ogenes was confirmed in the resected colon viith polymerase chain reac tion and subsequent Southern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry us ing antibody against Listeria is presented. The patient developed ulce rative colitis at the age of 59 years. Prednisolone, 50 mg/day, was gi ven for severe ulcerative colitis. Later the disease became fulminatin g, indicating colectomy 4 months after the onset. Multiple sealed colo nic perforations were observed. Numerous L. monocytogenes were found a t the site of perforation, in fissures, and in cracks in the submucosa . This case indicates the possibility that L. monocytogenes contribute s to the exacerbation of colitis to fulminating and colonic perforatio n.