Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

[Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis revealed by left progressive hemiparesis]

C Elzière1, A Alkhalil, C Belin

  • 1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Avicenne, AP.HP-Paris, Bobigny, Cedex. claire.elziere@avc.ap-hop-paris.fr

Revue Neurologique
|June 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Central nervous system listeriosis can be challenging. This case highlights Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis in an immunosuppressed patient, diagnosed via blood culture when CSF was normal, leading to excellent outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Case Reports

Background:

  • Central nervous system listeriosis presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
  • Immunosuppression increases susceptibility to infections like Listeria monocytogenes.

Observation:

  • A 66-year-old woman with pemphigus vulgaris on immunosuppressants presented with hemiparesis and headaches.
  • Initial CT revealed a focal brain lesion; CSF was normal. Fever and seizures developed, with MRI showing infiltrative lesions.
  • Blood cultures confirmed Listeria monocytogenes.

Findings:

  • Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis was diagnosed based on positive blood cultures, as CSF analysis was unrevealing.
  • Treatment with amoxicillin and gentamicin led to resolution of clinical symptoms and imaging findings.
  • Brain MRI demonstrated multiple abscesses, which resolved with targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering Listeria monocytogenes in immunosuppressed patients with neurological symptoms, even with normal CSF.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in CNS listeriosis.
  • Positive blood cultures can be a key diagnostic tool when CSF analysis is non-diagnostic for Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes09:18

Assessing Bacterial Invasion of Cardiac Cells in Culture and Heart Colonization in Infected Mice Using Listeria monocytogenes

Published on: May 27, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...