2025 ICD-10-CM code A32.1
Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49) 1 Feed
Listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
Medical necessity for services related to A32.1 is established by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis, along with confirmatory laboratory findings.The severity of the infection, patient's overall health status, and potential complications influence the medical necessity of specific treatments and interventions.
Clinicians are responsible for diagnosing and managing listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis, which involves taking patient history, performing physical exams, ordering laboratory tests (blood and spinal fluid), and potentially imaging studies (CT/MRI). Treatment decisions include selecting appropriate antibiotics and monitoring patient response to therapy. Clinicians should also educate patients about preventing listeria infections through safe food handling practices.
In simple words: Listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis are infections of the brain and its surrounding membranes caused by Listeria bacteria, usually found in contaminated food.People with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Symptoms can include fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and seizures.Doctors diagnose it through tests of blood and spinal fluid and may use brain scans.Treatment usually involves antibiotics.
Listerial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, while meningoencephalitis also involves inflammation of the brain itself. Both conditions are caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is typically ingested through contaminated food and commonly affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, newborns, pregnant women, and those undergoing cancer treatment or taking high doses of steroids. Symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and altered mental status. Diagnosis involves physical examination, evaluation of symptoms and exposure history, and laboratory tests of blood and spinal fluid to detect the bacteria. Imaging studies, such as CT or MRI scans of the brain, may also be performed. Treatment typically involves antibiotics like ampicillin, penicillin, third-generation cephalosporins, and vancomycin.
Example 1: A 70-year-old patient with a history of lymphoma presents with fever, headache, and confusion.A lumbar puncture reveals Listeria monocytogenes in the cerebrospinal fluid, confirming a diagnosis of listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis., A pregnant woman in her third trimester experiences fever, neck stiffness, and vomiting. Blood and spinal fluid cultures identify Listeria monocytogenes, indicating listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Prompt treatment is initiated to protect both the mother and fetus., A newborn infant develops fever, lethargy, and poor feeding. Following diagnostic tests, listerial meningitis and meningoencephalitis are confirmed, requiring immediate antibiotic therapy.
Documentation for A32.1 should include signs and symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, altered mental status, meningeal signs), laboratory results (positive cerebrospinal fluid culture or PCR for Listeria monocytogenes), and imaging findings (if applicable).Details about any underlying conditions or risk factors (e.g., pregnancy, immunosuppression) should also be documented.
- Specialties:Infectious disease, Internal medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Maternal-fetal medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital