Listerial Meningitis: Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Listerial meningitis is a rare but severe infection of the brain and spinal cord caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms of listerial meningitis can include:

- Fever

- Headache

- Stiff neck

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Confusion

- Seizures

- Loss of consciousness

In some cases, listerial meningitis can also cause hearing loss, vision problems, and paralysis.

Listeriosis, the infection caused by L. monocytogenes, can also cause illness during pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to develop Listeriosis than the general population, and the infection can cause serious complications in pregnant women, including premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.