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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1971 Dec;34(6):657–663. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.34.6.657

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis: an opportunistic infection

John F Simpson 1
PMCID: PMC1083497  PMID: 4110448

Abstract

Meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes is discussed from the standpoints of clinical presentation and course, underlying illness, and altered host resistance. The `opportunistic' nature of the infection is emphasized, and case histories of patients with diseases which may specifically alter host resistance in such a fashion as to render the patient susceptible to this organism, or who are receiving drugs which may have the same result, are presented. The critical role of host macrophages, and the alteration of this role by Hodgkin's disease, leukaemia, and cytotoxic drug therapy are emphasized.

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Selected References

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