[Listeria monocytogenes meningitis complicated after operation for thoracic aortic aneurysm].

The patient was a 71-year-old male. He was admitted as an emergency to our hospital because of impending rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm with anterior chest pain and hoarseness. The aneurysm was saccular type and located in the lesser curvature of aortic arch. Emergency operation was performed. Entry of the aneurysm was excluded by including artificial graft on the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Postoperative course was uneventful, but sudden depression of consciousness level and pyrexia were occurred 1 week after the operation. In spite of treatment, this patient was died 12 days after the operation. Autopsy revealed meningitis and pericarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is a zoonotic disease found in various kinds of animals. This bacteria is distributed naturally all over the world with a little frequency of Listeriosis. But, if the Listeriosis was appeared, mortality rate would be high. Appropriate recognition and treatment is mandatory.