Listeria brainstem encephalitis and myelitis in a young previously healthy adult

Authors

  • C. Bento Interna do Internato Complementar de Neurologia, Serviço de Neurologia, Hospitais da Univerdade de Coimbra
  • C. Januário Assistente Hospitalar de Neurologia, Serviço de Neurologia dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • S. Silva Interna do Internato Complementar de Neurorradiologia, Serviço de Neurologia dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • C. Oliveira Assistente Hospitalar de Infecciologia, Serviço de Neurologia dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra

Keywords:

brainstem encephalitis, myelitis, listeria

Abstract

We report the case of a previously healthy 34-year­ old man, who presented with signs of  brainstem involvement. Two weeks previously, he had been suffering from non-specific systemic illness. The initial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings were suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Corticosteroids were given. The patient developed a febrile reaction, with signs of meningeal irritation and impaired consciousness. Listeria was cultured from the CSF, and ampicillin and ceftriaxone were given for five weeks. There was a favourable clinical course.

Two weeks after stopping therapy, signs of spinal cord involvement appeared. He was treated once again with ampicillin and ceftriaxone, associated with gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulpfamethoxazole. There was clinicai improvement but neurological sequelae remain: gait ataxia, bladder and sexual dysfunction. Investigation did not reveral any kind of immunosupression or underlying disease.

A brief review of listerial brainstem encephalitis (rhombencephalitis) is made.

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References

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Additional Files

Published

1999-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Bento C, Januário C, Silva S, Oliveira C. Listeria brainstem encephalitis and myelitis in a young previously healthy adult. RPMI [Internet]. 1999 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Oct. 17];6(2):117-21. Available from: https://revista.spmi.pt/index.php/rpmi/article/view/2054

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (1999): Abril/ Junho

Section

Case Reports

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