Recurrence of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis.

A case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in a 3-year-old boy which relapsed after chloramphenicol treatment is described. The patient was subsequently successfully treated with ampicillin and gentamicin and made a complete recovery. In vitro studies confirmed the inadequacy of chloramphenicol therapy. The value of combination therapy, as evidenced by chessboard and killing-curve techniques with the strain, is discussed.