An unusual form of listerial CNS infection

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is a known cause of meningitis, but cerebral abscess formation is exceedingly rare. We describe a patient who presented with an unsteady gait and a small ring-enhancing lesion in the right parietal lobe. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated an abscess with associated microglial nodules, and culture revealed Listeria. In spite of the rarity of this entity, immunosuppression has been noted to be a predisposing factor. Our patient had diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with recent prednisone administration, both very common ailments in the population of West Virginia.