Supratentorial Listeria monocytogenes Brain Abscess in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Meningitis and meningoencephalitis account for the majority of central nervous system infections by Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Macroscopic listerial brain abscess is a rare infection. Early recognition of Listeria brain abscesses represents a major diagnostic challenge. Mortality from Listeria brain abscesses is high but can be reduced when appropriate treatment is timely started. Immunosuppressed patients are more often affected, and a high suspicion is needed for prompt identification. Treatment should be individualized taking into account the comorbidities, lesion size and location, bacterial resistance, and clinical and radiological response. We present a case of a supratentorial Lm brain abscess in a patient with liver cirrhosis whose family denied surgical management, and despite the large size, clinical and radiological success was achieved with 4 weeks of ampicillin.

Keywords

• brain abscess
• central nervous system infections
• listeria
• listeriosis