Spinal cord abscess caused by Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes organisms were isolated from an intramedullary abscess in the cervical part of the spinal cord of an afebrile, previously healthy man who was occupationally exposed to farm animals. Acute neurologic abnormalities developed after a lumbar puncture, and cord widening was shown by myelography. Surgical decompression and antibiotic treatment for four weeks resulted in apparent bacteriologic cure with moderate neurologic sequelae.