Fatal nonmeningitic Listeria rhombencephalitis. Report of two cases.

Two cases of rapidly fatal Listeria rhombencephalitis with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings occurred in previously healthy adults. The infection presented with nausea and headache followed by fever and signs of lower cranial nerve dysfunction, without associated meningismus, and progressed to death within four and six days of hospitalization. Because of normal CSF findings (including ventricular fluid in one patient) and negative culture results of both blood and CSF, the diagnosis was not suspected. Listeriosis should be considered early in any febrile patient presenting with signs of brain-stem dysfunction, even if CSF findings are normal.