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Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: August 9, 2011
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Brainstem Encephalitis Caused by Listeria monocytogenes
Pengxu Wei1,2, Ruixue Bao3, Yubo Fan1,2
1School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, 37# Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 3, 2020
Summary
Listeria monocytogenes infections are increasing globally. This review details listerial brainstem encephalitis, a severe condition affecting healthy individuals, and proposes novel pathways for bacterial invasion.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Microbiology
Background:
- International outbreaks of *Listeria monocytogenes* are rising.
- Listerial brainstem encephalitis (rhombencephalitis) affects healthy individuals and is difficult to diagnose early.
- This condition has high mortality and significant sequelae in survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical manifestations, pathology, MRI findings, diagnosis, and treatment of listerial brainstem encephalitis.
- To propose potential pathways for *L. monocytogenes* brainstem invasion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical cases and proposed mechanisms.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- *Listeria monocytogenes* can cause severe brainstem encephalitis.
- The trigeminal and vagus nerves are proposed as routes of infection.
- Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial for reducing severity.
Conclusions:
- Listerial brainstem encephalitis requires prompt recognition and management.
- Understanding novel invasion pathways can aid in early diagnosis and prevention.
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