[Meningitis by Listeria in children]

G del Río-Camacho1, B Picazo-Angelín, L Tapia-Ceballos

  • 1Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Málaga, España. vevirio@hotmail.com

Revista De Neurologia
|January 31, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes can cause meningitis in healthy children, often mimicking other bacterial infections. Early consideration in differential diagnosis is crucial for timely treatment and improved outcomes in pediatric bacterial meningoencephalitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent children.
  • Delayed diagnosis due to non-specific symptoms can lead to poor prognoses.

Observation:

  • A case of a previously healthy, immunocompetent teenager with Listeria meningitis is presented.
  • The clinical presentation mimicked other common bacterial meningitis etiologies.

Findings:

  • The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in meningoencephalitis is increasing.
  • This pathogen should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric meningitis.

Implications:

  • Early recognition of Listeria monocytogenes is vital for prompt and effective treatment in pediatric meningitis cases.
  • Awareness of this pathogen's rising incidence can improve diagnostic strategies and patient outcomes.

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