Abstract
BackgroundListeria monocytogenes is a bacterium present in some food products. It is rarely the cause of Rhombencephalitis in immunocompetent patients.Case presentationWe report a case of an immunocompetent patient, presenting with progressive perioral numbness and dizziness. Despite treatment with antiplatelet drugs, antiviral medication, antibiotics and corticosteroids for a wide differential diagnosis, the patient deteriorated tremendously. Eventually the patient died of Listeria rhombencephalitis, most likely due to the late diagnosis and concomitant late initiation of antibiotics combined with badly timed and inappropriate corticosteroid prescription.ConclusionEarly adequate antibiotic treatment is essential in Listeria rhombencephalitis and corticosteroid therapy should be avoided when Listeriosis is suspected.
Highlights
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium present in some food products
Many case reports have been written about the dangers of Listeria monocytogenes infection [1,2,3]
Listeria infection is rarely lethal in immunocompetent patients [4]
Summary
Listerial rhombencephalitis is a challenge to diagnose, especially if cultures remain negative. A broad differential diagnosis combined with a thorough interview remains essential, because in the end a diagnosis depends merely on what you are looking for. If Listerial infection is not considered or ruled out in infectious patients, late diagnosis and thereby late initiation of antibiotics will allow the disease to run its devastating natural course. The administration of corticosteroids will only catalyze progression of the disease
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