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Fatal listeria meningitis in an immunocompromised infant: therapeutic implications
L Mascola1, F Sorvillo, N Lashley
1Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Acute Communicable Disease Control, CA 90012.
Insights
Listeriosis is rare in children, with only seven reported cases in California between 1985-1990. This report details a fatal infant Listeria meningitis case and discusses diagnostic and treatment considerations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Neonatal Neurology
Background:
- Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is uncommon in pediatric populations.
- Listeriosis has been a notifiable disease in California since 1985, aiding surveillance.
Observation:
- Seven pediatric cases of listeriosis were reported in California from 1985 to 1990.
- A fatal case of Listeria meningitis occurred in a 4-month-old immunocompromised infant.
Findings:
- The report details the clinical features of the fatal meningitis case.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with pediatric listeriosis are discussed.
- Characteristics of the six other reported pediatric cases are summarized.
Implications:
- Highlights the severity of Listeria monocytogenes infections in vulnerable infants.
- Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and management of infant meningitis.
- Informs public health strategies for pediatric infectious disease control.
Abstract:
Infection with Listeria monocytogenes is rare in infants and children. Listeriosis has been made a notifiable condition in the State of California since 1985. From January 1985 to December 1990, only seven cases of listeriosis have been reported in children less than or equal to 13 years of age. This brief report summarises the features of a fatal case of listeria meningitis in an immunocompromised 4-month-old infant, discusses diagnostic and therapeutic implications, and describes the other six cases.