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Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

Listeria monocytogenes brain abscess in a patient with multiple myeloma

Adil A Al-Khatti1, Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq

  • 1Oncology Unit, Dhahran Health Center, Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organization, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|January 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare brain abscess caused by Listeria monocytogenes in a multiple myeloma patient. The patient successfully recovered with a prolonged course of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is an uncommon pathogen, with meningoencephalitis being the most frequent central nervous system (CNS) manifestation of listeriosis.
  • Brain abscesses account for 1-10% of CNS listeriosis cases.
  • Neurological complications in multiple myeloma patients are typically associated with other factors.

Observation:

  • A 58-year-old male diagnosed with multiple myeloma developed a brain abscess.
  • The abscess was confirmed to be caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
  • The patient had a history of penicillin allergy.

Findings:

  • This represents the first reported case of a Listeria monocytogenes brain abscess in a patient with multiple myeloma.
  • The patient was treated with intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and gentamicin, followed by an extended oral TMP-SMX regimen.
  • The patient survived for over six years post-myeloma diagnosis, with controlled seizures.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for Listeria monocytogenes to cause brain abscesses in immunocompromised patients, specifically those with multiple myeloma.
  • Demonstrates the efficacy of TMP-SMX and gentamicin in treating this rare condition in penicillin-allergic patients.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering uncommon pathogens in the differential diagnosis of CNS infections in patients with hematological malignancies.

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