Objective: To report and analyze the clinical characteristics of 15 patients with Listeria meningitis in adult.
Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 15 patients with Listeria meningitis who were admitted to Shanxi Bethune Hospital between January 2017 and January 2023.
Results: The clinical manifestations was primarily characterized by fever， altered mental status, headache, neck stiffness, and vomiting. Blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were performed in 15 cases, and pathogens were detected in 11 of them. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) detected pathogens in 10 cases, with four being negative by conventional methods and six being positive through traditional tests. The laboratory blood results presented leukocytosis. The CSF analysis upon admission showed elevated levels of white blood cells and proteins, as well as decreased chloride and glucose concentration. The brain computed tomography (CT) revealed ventricular enlargement in 3 patients. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed abnormalities in multiple areas of the brain. Despite 3 patients with decompensated hydrocephalus underwent lateral ventricle puncture and drainage，their neurological deterioration were increasingly deteriorating.7 patients were treated by mechanical ventilation due to respiratory insufficiency. After 3 months, there were 9 cases with excellent outcomes（modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2）,2 cases with favorable outcomes（score of 3-5）, and 4 deaths（score of 6）.
Conclusions: This thesis found that the detection rate of Listeria monocytogenes has been on a rise over the past six years in our department, ranking second only to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Additionally, the detection rate achieved by mNGS surpasses that of other conventional methods. Among the patient cohort, 11 had underlying diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, pituitary neoplasms, leukemia and other related illnesses. Once listeriosis is early identified, the adequate antibiotic therapy should be promptly introduced in the course of empirical treatment.
Keywords: Case report; Clinical characteristics; Listeria meningitis; Radiographic features; mNGS.
© 2023 The Authors.