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Updated: May 21, 2026
05:02
Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
Published on: October 2, 2018
[Solitary actinomycotic brain abscess: case report]
Kiyoshi Takahashi1, Yoshihito Hasegawa, Yo Nishimoto
1Department of Neurosurgery, Chikamori Hospital, Japan.
Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo
|June 1, 2012
Summary
This case report details a rare actinomycotic brain abscess in an immunocompetent woman presenting with subtle neurological deficits. Prompt diagnosis and high-dose penicillin treatment led to successful abscess resolution.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Actinomycotic brain abscess is a rare condition with often unclear clinical presentations.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and normal initial laboratory findings.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with sensory aphasia and mild right hemiparesis, without fever or headache.
- Imaging revealed an irregular lesion in the left parietal lobe, with characteristic MRI signal intensities and thallium uptake.
- Craniotomy and abscess evacuation identified gram-positive filamentous rods, with cultures confirming Actinomyces and Prevotella disiens.
Findings:
- The patient's condition deteriorated despite initial imaging findings.
- Successful treatment involved high-dose intravenous penicillin G followed by oral amoxicillin.
- Complete abscess resolution was achieved with prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering actinomycosis in brain abscesses, even with atypical presentations in immunocompetent individuals.
- Aggressive antibiotic treatment, particularly with penicillin, is crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through a combination of imaging and microbiological analysis is key.
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