Listeria Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Child.

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative anerobic, gram-positive bacillus that is isolated from the soil, vegetables, and wild or domestic animals. Listeria infection is usually found in the older adults, immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, and newborns, whereas it is rare in healthy infants and children. Listeria monocytogenes may cause meningitis, meningoencephalitis, brain abscess, pyogenic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and liver abscess in children. The course of meningoencephalitis by Listeria is often severe and even fatal. Complications such as acute hydrocephalus, brain abscess, and spine abscess can develop, and the mortality associated with listeriosis is significantly high. We present a case of a previously healthy 7-year-old boy who developed Listeria monocytogenes meningitis.