A gray-white colony displaying subtle beta-hemolysis is isolated from a cerebrospinal fluid. The organism is a gram-positive rod that is catalase positive, motile at room temperature, and esculin positive. Which patient history is most likely associated with this culture?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The organism described fits the characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause neonatal meningitis, especially in newborns delivered prematurely or with weakened immune systems, as in the case of a 2-day-old infant delivered at 32 weeks gestation.

A Gray-White Colony Displaying Subtle Beta-Hemolysis Is Isolated from a Cerebrospinal