[Encephalitis due to listeria monocytogenes: a complication of immunosuppressive therapy (author's transl)].

Two cases of encephalitis due to Listeria monocytogenes with lethal outcome are presented. The infection occurred during immunosuppressive treatment for panarteritis nodosa and sarcoidosis, respectively. The pathological-anatomical findings were a diffuse purulent meningoencephalitis in the first case and a focal rhombencephalitis with necrotizing inflammation of brainstem and cerebellum in the second one. Listerial infections of the adult are gaining increasing importance as severe complications of immunosuppressive treatment.