[Abscessing rhombencephalitis caused by Listeria in an iummunodepressed patient].

Abstract

The cerebral trunk infection by Listeria monocytogenes is a very rare process, with only 24 described cases and only 2 in immunodepressed patients. We present a new case of cerebral trunk encephalitis caused by Listeria in a patient diagnosed of Polyarteritis nodosa on steroids and cyclophosamide treatment and fatal evolution, and whose hemoculture, spinal fluid culture and cranial CT scan did not contribute to the diagnosis. A necrotizing lesion in the protuberance with mesencephalic extension was observed in the necropsy study in which intra- and extracellular Gram + and silver positive bacilli were detected. Since L. monocytogenes was suspected as the causative agent, indirect immunofluorescence was performed on histological preparations with hyperimmune anti-L. monocytogenes serum giving a clearly positive result. In our case, this technique permitted the etiological diagnosis in the absence of positive cultures.

• Authors: J L Villar Rodríguez, M E Jiménez Mejías, J Andreu Alvarez, J A Cuello Contreras, E Andrada Becerra, J Fernández Alonso
• Journal: Revista clinica espanola (Rev Clin Esp) Vol. 187 Issue 7 Pg. 339-42 (Nov 1990) ISSN: 0014-2565 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Rombencefalitis abscesificante por Listeria en paciente inmunodeprimido.
• PMID: 1982570 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyclophosphamide
• Prednisone

Topics

• Aspergillosis (complications, pathology)
• Brain Abscess (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Cyclophosphamide (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Encephalitis (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes (complications, etiology, pathology)
• Listeriosis (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Lung Diseases, Fungal (complications, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyarteritis Nodosa (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Rhombencephalon