[Listeria rhombencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes with a cerebrospinal fluid initially normal]

A case of rhombencephalitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a non immunocompromised patient, with initially normal cerebrospinal fluid, was marked by potentially fatal neurovegetative disorders and severe neurological sequelae partly due to delay in diagnosis and treatment. The possibility of Listeria infection should be considered in patients with fever and cranial nerves deficits, in order to initiate an appropriate antibiotic therapy and to keep the subject under close monitoring in an intensive care unit.