Neonatal Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes: A Case Report From Central India

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic psychotrophic pathogen though rarely reported in India but associated globally with serious infections like meningitis, meningoencephalitis, brain abscess, endocarditis etc. Neonatal infections caused by L. monocytogenes are under reported in Indian subcontinent due to lack of pathognomic features and low index of clinical suspicion. L. monocytogenes is a rare pathogen affecting the immunocompromised adults and immunocompetent infants progressing to meningitis after the intake of contaminated food or water especially in low-socioeconomic strata. We reported a rare case of 6 days old neonate with Late onset fulminant meningitis attributed to L. monocytogenes, at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Datia (Northern Madhya Pradesh).