Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
05:02
Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
Published on: October 2, 2018
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Caused by Infection with Listeria monocytogenes
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Conn., USA.
Case Reports in Gastroenterology
|April 15, 2011
Summary
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a severe liver disease complication. This case highlights Listeria monocytogenes as a rare SBP cause, requiring specific antibiotic treatment beyond standard therapy.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious infection in patients with advanced liver disease and ascites.
- Coliform bacteria are the most common pathogens, typically treated with third-generation cephalosporins.
- Autoimmune hepatitis leading to liver cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for ascites.
Observation:
- An uncommon case of SBP caused by Listeria monocytogenes in a female patient with autoimmune hepatitis-induced liver cirrhosis.
- The patient exhibited an inadequate response to ceftriaxone, a standard empiric antibiotic for SBP.
- Clinical deterioration included hepatic encephalopathy, seizures, and multi-organ failure.
Findings:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a rare but critical cause of SBP in end-stage liver disease.
- Failure to improve with conventional antibiotics within 48-72 hours suggests an alternative pathogen.
- Prompt diagnosis and initiation of ampicillin/sulbactam are crucial for Listerial peritonitis.
Implications:
- Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for atypical SBP pathogens like Listeria.
- Early recognition and targeted antibiotic therapy are vital for improving outcomes in complicated SBP.
- This case underscores the need for tailored treatment strategies in liver cirrhosis patients with refractory SBP.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Bacterial 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...
01:22Bacterial 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...
01:30Reservoir of Infection
Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...