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Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain
05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

[Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in adults]

Pedro Laguna-Del Estal1, Gemma M Lledó-Ibáñez, Roberto Ríos-Garcés

  • 1Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, 28035 Majadahonda, Espana. pjlaguna.hpth@salud.madrid.org

Revista De Neurologia
|December 20, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis primarily affects elderly and immunocompromised adults. While clinical presentation is similar to other bacterial meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid analysis may offer early clues. The mortality rate for Listeria meningitis is comparable to other causes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a significant cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults.
  • Understanding its specific characteristics is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize adult meningitis caused by Listeria (LM).
  • To compare LM meningitis with meningitis from other causes (nLM).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of hospital cases of LM meningitis in adults (≥14 years).
  • Data collected between 1982 and 2011.
  • Comparison of clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings between LM and nLM groups.

Main Results:

  • LM accounted for 12.1% of community-acquired meningitis with identified etiology.
  • Risk factors included older age (mean 65 vs 52 years) and immunosuppression/comorbidity (62.5% vs 3.4%).
  • LM cases showed lower CSF leukocyte counts, fewer neutrophils, more lymphocytic pleocytosis, and less frequent Gram stain positivity compared to nLM.

Conclusions:

  • Listeria monocytogenes meningitis predominantly impacts elderly and immunocompromised individuals, though it can occur without apparent risk factors.
  • Clinical presentation is not distinct from other meningitis types, but CSF analysis can be suggestive.
  • The mortality rate for LM meningitis is similar to that of meningitis from other causes.

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