A Case of Listeria Meningoencephalitis in a Healthy Child

ABSTRACT

Listeriosis in a healthy child is extremely rare. A previously healthy 9-year-old male was admitted with pyrexia, headache and lethargy. The CSF cultures, taken on admission and on the 5th day, showed growth of Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was identified by various methods, including polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Serologically, it showed type 1/2a. However, blood cultures, which were taken on the same days, revealed no growth of L. monocytogenes. Ceftriaxone and amikacin had no effect on the progress of the disease. The combination of ampicillin plus gentamicin, which is regarded as the treatment of choice for L. monocytogenes infection, had an effect in this case. Patient showed severe neurological symptoms and signs, such as diplopia, esotropia, nystagmus, ptosis and other meningeal signs during the hospital days, even though all such symptoms and signs were improved at discharge. We report the case with brief review of related literatures.