Presenters on the morning news channel that you watch alert consumers to a food recall. A particular brand of ice cream has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that causes asymptomatic or relatively mild disease in otherwise healthy individuals, but can be problematic in pregnant women. Your sister is expecting her first child, so you call her immediately and tell her about the recall. You fill her in on what you know about this organism and the disease it causes, having just learned about it yourself in your pre-nursing microbiology class. Your sister has questions that you are able to answer.
-How would L. monocytogenes meningitis be diagnosed and treated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

L. monocytogenes meningitis would require a lumbar puncture for diagnosis and treatment would involve antibiotics. A brain biopsy would not be necessary unless there are complications or uncertainties. An antibiogram could be used to determine antibiotic sensitivity, but is not required for diagnosis. Gram staining would be done to identify the bacteria causing the meningitis, but not for treatment. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication and would not be effective against L. monocytogenes. Phage therapy is a potential future treatment option, but is not yet widely available.

Presenters on the Morning News Channel That You Watch Alert