The drug of choice for meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes is which antibiotic?

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Prepare for the NBME Microbiology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each query comes with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

The drug of choice for meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes is which antibiotic?

Explanation:
Listeria meningitis is best treated with ampicillin because Listeria monocytogenes is susceptible to penicillin-class antibiotics and not reliably covered by cephalosporins. Ampicillin penetrates the CNS well and effectively kills Listeria, making it the drug of choice. In more severe cases, adding gentamicin can provide a synergistic bactericidal effect early in therapy. Other agents, such as chloramphenicol, can treat Listeria but are limited by toxicity, and vancomycin or ciprofloxacin are not preferred due to inconsistent activity against this organism.

Listeria meningitis is best treated with ampicillin because Listeria monocytogenes is susceptible to penicillin-class antibiotics and not reliably covered by cephalosporins. Ampicillin penetrates the CNS well and effectively kills Listeria, making it the drug of choice. In more severe cases, adding gentamicin can provide a synergistic bactericidal effect early in therapy. Other agents, such as chloramphenicol, can treat Listeria but are limited by toxicity, and vancomycin or ciprofloxacin are not preferred due to inconsistent activity against this organism.

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