Publication

Abstract :

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis in neonates. Infections due to this organism in neonates can be categorized as an early onset or a late onset disease. While the early onset neonatal listeriosis is due to an in utero infection, the late onset form primarily occurs due to exposure to the organism during vaginal delivery.

Case Presentation: Here, we report a 2 week old female child who presented with late onset meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes and responded adequately to appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Conclusion: Physicians should always consider Listeria as a possible aetiological agent of meningitis in paediatric patients, regardless of their age or immunological status in a developing country. Cephalosporins which are the most commonly used antimicrobials in bacterial meningitis,are unlikely to elicit a favourable response in such cases.