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Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
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A case of Listeria meningitis associated with increased adenosine deaminase in cerebrospinal fluid

Yoichiro Nishida1, Hiroshi Komachi, Hidehiro Mizusawa

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan. y-nishida.nuro@tmd.ac.jp

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|December 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first case of Listeria meningitis showing increased adenosine deaminase (ADA) in cerebrospinal fluid. This finding suggests other bacteria, not just Mycobacterium or Brucella, can elevate ADA levels in meningitis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Meningitis is a serious inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
  • Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme often measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to help diagnose meningitis.
  • Elevated CSF ADA levels are typically associated with infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella species.

Observation:

  • A case of Listeria meningitis was identified.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in this patient.
  • This represents the first reported instance of Listeria meningitis associated with increased CSF ADA.

Findings:

  • Listeria meningitis can lead to elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Increased ADA in CSF may not be exclusive to Mycobacterium or Brucella infections.
  • Facultative bacterial agents can potentially increase CSF ADA levels.

Implications:

  • Clinicians managing meningitis should consider a broader range of pathogens when interpreting elevated CSF ADA levels.
  • Monocyte-macrophage activation is a potential mechanism for increased ADA in various meningitis etiologies.
  • This expands the differential diagnosis for elevated ADA in cerebrospinal fluid during meningitis workup.

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