List of infections of the central nervous system

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are a group of medical conditions caused by the invasion of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites into the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. These infections can lead to severe neurological complications and require prompt medical attention.

Types of CNS Infections

CNS infections can be classified based on the type of pathogen involved:

Bacterial Infections

• Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, often caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
• Brain abscess: A localized collection of pus within the brain tissue, typically resulting from bacterial infection.
• Tuberculous meningitis: A form of meningitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Viral Infections

• Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by viruses such as Herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, and Enteroviruses.
• Viral meningitis: Meningitis caused by viral infections, often less severe than bacterial meningitis.

Fungal Infections

• Cryptococcal meningitis: A serious fungal infection of the meninges caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, often seen in immunocompromised individuals.
• Candidal meningitis: Meningitis caused by Candida species, typically occurring in patients with weakened immune systems.

Parasitic Infections

• Cerebral malaria: A severe form of malaria affecting the brain, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
• Neurocysticercosis: Infection of the central nervous system by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of CNS infections include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Altered mental status
• Seizures
• Neurological deficits

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CNS infections typically involves:

• Lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.
• Neuroimaging techniques such as MRI and CT scan.
• Blood tests to identify the causative pathogen.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of pathogen causing the infection:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections.
• Antiviral drugs for viral infections.
• Antifungal drugs for fungal infections.
• Supportive care to manage symptoms and complications.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Vaccination against common pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
• Maintaining good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection.

Related Pages

• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Brain abscess
• Cryptococcal meningitis
• Cerebral malaria
• Neurocysticercosis