Listeria meningitis in an immunocompromised patient with ulcerative colitis: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

This is the case of a patient with total ulcerative colitis on long-term treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine and development of Listeria meningitis. Diagnosis was confirmed with cerebrospinal fluid culture. The patient responded favorably to specific treatment with a combination of antibiotics. It was not clear whether infection originated from ingestion of contaminated food or from chronic faecal carriage. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of development of Listeria Monocytogenes meningitis in patients with ulcerative colitis being on long-term treatment with immunosuppressives and corticosteroids. Clinicians should also consider aggressive investigation and empirical antibiotic treatment in patients with new-onset symptoms originating from the central nervous system.