Intracerebral activity of antibiotics against Listeria monocytogenes during experimental rhombencephalitis

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Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

S Blanot1, C Boumaila, P Berche

  • 1INSERM U.411, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Necker-Enfants Malades 156, Paris, France.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|December 10, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, rifampicin, and imipenem show promise against Listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis in gerbils. Combinations like amoxicillin-co-trimoxazole were highly effective in this animal model.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes can cause rhombencephalitis, a serious infection affecting the brainstem.
  • Effective antibiotic treatment is crucial for managing Listeria monocytogenes infections, particularly those affecting the central nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of various antibiotics against Listeria monocytogenes in a gerbil model of rhombencephalitis.
  • To identify antibiotics and combinations with significant activity against intracerebral Listeria monocytogenes.

Main Methods:

  • Gerbils were infected with Listeria monocytogenes strain EGD via middle ear inoculation.
  • Animals received subcutaneous treatment with individual antibiotics or antibiotic combinations.
  • Antibiotic efficacy was assessed by measuring activity against intracerebral bacteria.

Main Results:

  • Amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, rifampicin, and imipenem demonstrated the most significant activity against intracerebral Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Vancomycin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin showed limited or no activity.
  • Combinations of amoxicillin-co-trimoxazole, amoxicillin-gentamicin, and co-trimoxazole-rifampicin exhibited high efficacy against intracerebral bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Certain antibiotics, including amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, rifampicin, and imipenem, are effective against Listeria monocytogenes in a central nervous system infection model.
  • Specific antibiotic combinations show enhanced activity, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for rhombencephalitis.
  • This study provides valuable insights into antibiotic selection for treating Listeria monocytogenes-induced rhombencephalitis.

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