We present a case of Listeria monocytogenes cerebral abscess with axonal spread via the subcortical U-fibres and extreme capsule on magnetic resonance imaging, with follow-up studies demonstrating serial reduction in oedema and enhancement pattern of the white-matter fibre tracts following antimicrobial treatment. We discuss the microbiological mechanism of bacterial mobility to account for these unique imaging features. Recognition of this distinct pattern of spread of L. monocytogenes cerebral abscess may aid in diagnosis and enable early microbiological culture and treatment.
DrevetsDALeenenPJGreenfieldRA. Invasion of the central nervous system by intracellular bacteria. Clin Microbiol Rev2004; 17: 323–347.
4.
BojanowskiMWSeizeurREffendiK. Spreading of multiple Listeria monocytogenes abscesses via central nervous system fiber tracts: Case report. J Neurosurg2015; 123: 1593–1599.
5.
PeriniGPravettoniRFarinaE. Listeria brain abscesses during administration of mycophenolate mofetil for systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report. Neurol Sci2015; 36: 1019–1020.
6.
WestJAOnofrioARMartinezLC. Solitary supratentorial Listeria monocytogenes brain abscess in an immunocompromised patient. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent)2015; 28: 337–339.
7.
RiveroGATorresHARolstonKV. Listeria monocytogenes infection in patients with cancer. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis2003; 47: 393–398.
8.
MaillesALecuitMGouletV. Listeria monocytogenes encephalitis in France. Med Mal Infect2011; 41: 594–601.
9.
ReynaudLGrafMGentileI. A rare case of brainstem encephalitis by Listeria monocytogenes with isolated mesencephalic localization. Case report and review. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis2007; 58: 121–123.
10.
BernalBAltmanN. The connectivity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus: A tractography DTI study. Magn Reson Imaging2010; 28: 217–225.
11.
ParkerGJLuzziSAlexanderDC. Lateralization of ventral and dorsal auditory-language pathways in the human brain. Neuroimage2005; 24: 656–666.
12.
GouinEGanteletHEgileC. A comparative study of the actin-based motilities of the pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella flexneri and Rickettsia conorii. J Cell Sci1999; 112(Pt 11): 1697–1708.
13.
HenkeDRuppSGaschenV. Listeria monocytogenes spreads within the brain by actin-based intra-axonal migration. Infect Immun2015; 83: 2409–2419.
14.
KuehlCJDragoiAMTalmanA. Bacterial spread from cell to cell: Beyond actin-based motility. Trends Microbiol2015; 23: 558–566.
15.
PantaloniDLe ClaincheCCarlierMF. Mechanism of actin-based motility. Science2001; 292: 1502–1506.
16.
BenantiELNguyenCMWelchMD. Virulent Burkholderia species mimic host actin polymerases to drive actin-based motility. Cell.2015; 161: 348–360.
