Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in an immunocompetent adult: a case report

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis in immunocompetent adults. Patients with immunosuppression are at increased risk of developing serious invasive diseases, particularly meningitis. We describe a case of meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes in an immunocompetent and previously healthy 34-year-old adult. The patient received treatment with intravenous ampicillin plus amikacin and made a full recovery. L. monocytogenes should be suspected in immunocompetent adults with bacterial meningitis who fail to respond to empirical antibiotic treatment.

A life‐devastating cause of gastroenteritis in an immunocompetent host: was it suspected?

“…Like other causes of bacteremia, listeriosis can cause fulminant disease, presenting with severe systemic illness leading to distributive shock and multiorgan failure, usually in the immunocompromised. Although there are several case reports of Listeria meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent hosts, the presence of sepsis secondary to Listeria in otherwise healthy individuals, as in our patient, is extremely uncommon . Only the two patients reported by Von Rotz et al.…”

Severe invasiveListeria monocytogenesrhombencephalitis mimicking facial neuritis in a healthy middle-aged man: a case report and literature review

“…From the peripheral blood, it can access the CNS by crossing the blood–brain barrier. 5 Most patients have gastrointestinal symptoms (Table 1); 6–10 however, as in this case, they often do not have a clear history of contaminated food ingestion.…”

Listerial meningitis: Atypical strain and misidentification by the automated identification system (Vitek2)

“…On Gram staining of CSF, occasional Gram-positive bacilli were seen, and the findings were conveyed to the treating physician for the addition of ampicillin to the treatment regimen because Listeria is inherently not susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and vancomycin has only limited activity. 1 Computeraided tomographic (non-contrast) scan head revealed no focal lesions; however, a few parenchymal hyperdensities were seen. The condition of the patient worsened rapidly, and despite being placed on ionotropic support and other supportive measures, he continued to deteriorate and expired within a few hours.…”

“…Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen known to affect the immune-compromised and other high-risk groups such as pregnant women, neonates, and the elderly. 1 It is a Grampositive, non-sporulating, intracellular, facultative-anaerobic bacillus causing b-hemolysis on blood agar and being motile at 20 Ce25 C but not at 37 C. Non-hemolytic mutants of L. monocytogenes have also been reported. 2 Listeria innocua is a non-hemolytic saprophyte with wide environmental distribution, being able to survive in extreme conditions.…”