[Neuromeningeal Listeria infections in adults. Clinical, biological and therapeutic aspects. Apropos of 36 cases].

In this retrospective study, 36 cases of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis were reviewed. A bacteriological confirmation was obtained for every patient either by lombar puncture or blood culture. The clinical picture and the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid were polymorphous. Most patients were previously in good health, while 10 of them (28%) had a predisposing factor: pregnancy, gastrectomy, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism or immunosuppression. The outcome was favorable in 23 patients (64%); 8 patients were cured with sequelae (22%); 5 patients died (14%). Death occurred in patients suffering from concomitant underlying disease, such as coronary insufficiency (n = 1) or immunosuppression (n = 2), or in the case of delayed diagnosis and treatment (n = 2).