Listeria Cerebritis with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibition

Listeria monocytogenes is historically a central nervous system pathogen of consideration in the very young, very old, and immune suppressed. Diagnosis of Listeria is based on positive bodily fluid culture or PCR testing. Cerebral edema is nonspecific and can be a manifestation of vasculitis, trauma, anoxia, ischemia, infarction, malignancy, or an infectious process. A main mechanism of immune protection against Listeria is tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Lenalidomide, an immunosuppressant, inhibits TNF. Case Presentation. A 61-year-old female with diabetes mellitus 2 and multiple myeloma treated with stem cell transplant and immunosuppressant (lenalidomide) was found to have cerebral edema after presenting with headache for 3 weeks and new focal neurologic deficits. Vitals signs were stable, with no meningeal exam findings and unremarkable initial serum testing. Blood cultures on days 0 and 2 of hospitalization as well as cerebral spinal fluid cultures were negative for infectious organisms. PCR testing of CSF was also negative for microorganisms. Brain biopsy was scheduled but postponed due to outstanding prion testing. The patient's focal neurologic deficits worsened prompting administration of dexamethasone after extensive negative infectious disease workup. By day 6, gross neurologic function deteriorated prompting transfer to higher level of care where the patient spiked a fever and one set of blood cultures revealed Gram-positive bacillus. Aggressive antimicrobial therapy was initiated, excluding ampicillin; however, this was later added. Blood culture further identified Listeria monocytogenes. By day 17, the patient suffered demise. Autopsy revealed brain microabscess lesions consistent with Listeria.

Clinicians should employ prophylactic antimicrobial treatment for Listeria when caring for those patients presenting with cerebral edema who are immune suppressed with TNF inhibition no matter the initial exam findings, serum testing, and/or radiologic interpretation. If initial workup is negative and brain biopsy is needed to determine the next course of action in the patient with cerebral edema, transfer the patient to a higher level of care if unable to complete biopsy at your facility in an expedient fashion.