Rapid diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis using the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel in a patient with bacteremia: a case report

We present a case of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) bacteremia and meningitis in a 40-year-old woman with symptoms of sepsis and mild nuchal rigidity. The blood culture was positive for multiple microorganisms, but L. monocytogenes was detected using FilmArray. Following the detection of L. monocytogenes in the FilmArray from blood, a lumbar puncture was performed, and the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (MEP) detected Listeria monocytogenes, although the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) culture was negative due to prior antibiotic treatment. After storing a blood culture aliquot at 4°C for 10 days, it was possible to observe the growth of Listeria colonies on an agar plate, confirmed with MALDI-TOF identification. This case highlights the importance of molecular diagnostics in rapidly identifying L. monocytogenes and guiding clinical management.