We report a very unusual case of meningoencephalitis due to
Listeria monocytogenes in a 7-month-old immunocompetent boy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture was initially negative, but was positive on the seventh
day. The disease was complicated by seizures and hydrocephalus managed with temporary ventriculostomy. The infant was discharged
without obvious neurological sequelae after 30 days and developed without neurological or developmental sequelae at two years
of age.
Listeria is difficult to isolate and is not susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins commonly used for the empirical treatment
of bacterial meningitis.
Keywords
Listeria
- Meningoencephalitis - Infant - Immunocompetent - Hydrocephalus