Listeria Monocytogenes Infection Involving Central Nervous System

Listeria monocytogenes rarely causes menengitis in healthy children. The involvement of the central nervous system due to L. monocytogenes may give rise to high mortality and severe sequelae in survivors. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy are both important for prognosis. Here we report a 18-month-old boy who recovered from meningitis due to L. monocytogenes after four weeks of antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, three months later, he presented with right hemiparesis and facial paralysis. L. monocytogenes was isolated from blood culture which was interpreted as reinfection/reactivation. The patient’s clinical status deteriorated rapidly and he died on the seventh day of hospitalization despite intensive respiratory and circulatory support.