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Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

An unusual form of listerial CNS infection

Cara L Sedney1, Todd Harshbarger, Kymberly Gyure

  • 1West Virginia University, Department of Neurosurgery, USA.

The West Virginia Medical Journal
|August 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes rarely causes brain abscesses, but this case highlights the risk in immunocompromised individuals. The study details a patient with common comorbidities who developed a rare Listeria brain abscess.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a recognized cause of meningitis.
  • Cerebral abscess formation due to Listeria monocytogenes is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with an unsteady gait and a right parietal lobe ring-enhancing lesion.
  • Pathological examination revealed a cerebral abscess with microglial nodules.
  • Cultures confirmed the presence of Listeria.

Findings:

  • The patient had common comorbidities: diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Recent prednisone administration was noted, indicating iatrogenic immunosuppression.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering Listeria monocytogenes in brain abscesses, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
  • Common conditions like diabetes and COPD, especially with corticosteroid use, can predispose individuals to rare infections.
  • Highlights a rare but serious neurological complication of Listeria infection.

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