INFECTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The central nervous system or central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and membranes. In certain circumstances, bacteria can penetrate the central nervous system areas. If this occurs, abscesses or empyemas may be established. In general, the CNS is well defended against infection. The spine and brain are sheathed in hard, protective membrane. The outer membrane, the dura, and the next layer, the arachnoid, totally covering the brain and spinal cord. However, these defenses are not absolute. In rare cases, bacteria have access to areas of central nervous system.
There are four main causes of infections of the central nervous system (CNS): bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Bacterial infection of the central nervous system can cause abscesses and empyema (accumulation of pus). Abscesses have fixed boundaries, but no definable shape and size empyema. CNS infections are classified according to where they occur. For example, a spinal epidural abscess is located above the dura mater, and subdural empyema occurs between the dura and arachnoid injury. As the pus and other material of an infection accumulate, pressure is exerted on the brain or spinal cord. This pressure can damage the nervous system tissue, perhaps permanently. Without treatment, CNS infection is fatal.
The brain is highly protected, and is essential for the maintenance of life. Yet the central nervous system infections are occurring. They range from a latent is rapidly fatal. This guide describes some of the features of CNS infection and laboratory diagnosis. The membranes surrounding the brain infections called meningitis. When the content of the brain that is infected with meningitis. brain abscesses are defined, localized lesions within the brain. "Slow" brain infections also occur, and these are usually fatal. Rapid diagnosis of CNS infections is important because many of the central nervous system infections are life threatening.
Viruses that infect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) include herpesviruses, arboviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses and enteroviruses. Some of these infections primarily affect the meninges (the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord) and the result of meningitis. Others affect primarily the brain and cause encephalitis. Infections that affect both the meninges and brain after a meningo-encephalitis. Meningitis is most common in children than is encephalitis.
The virus affects the central nervous system in two ways. They can directly infect and destroy cells of the central nervous system during acute illness. After recovery from an infection of the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body's immune response to infection sometimes causes secondary damage to cells that surrounds nerve. These secondary damage (postinfectious encephalomyelitis or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis) results in children having more symptoms weeks after recovery from acute illness.
Meningitis is usually caused by viruses. Viral meningitis is a self-limiting disease. Bacterial meningitis is much less common, but is a potentially fatal condition. Other organizations may be a rare cause meningitis, for example, spirochetes and fungi. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and photophobia. Due to the severity of the condition, so it may be caused by a number of staff, fast and accurate diagnosis of the cause is essential for prompt initiation of appropriate treatment.
Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are increasingly diagnosed both in immunocompromised and immunocompetent persons. Sinocranial aspergillosis more frequently described from temperate countries, most often in otherwise immunocompetent individuals. The clinical syndromes as fungal infections of the central nervous system can present are protean and may involve most neuroaxis. Certain clinical syndromes are specific to certain fungal infections. The nose shape is the most common syndrome with zygomycosis and skull-base syndromes frequently in clinical syndromes in patients with aspergillosis sino-cranial. Sub-acute and chronic meningitis in patients infected with HIV are more likely to be due to cryptococcal infection. Early recognition of clinical syndromes in an appropriate clinical context, it is the first step towards full recovery in some of these infections.
CONGENITAL INFECTIONS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Although vaccines, new antimicrobial agents and improvement in hygiene practices, congenital infections remain a major cause of mortality and neurological morbidity in children long term worldwide. important players are Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and rubella. In addition, several other agents, such as varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19, and Borrelia burgdorferi, which potentially can infect the fetus and result in the fetus. This paper provides an overview of these infectious disorders, and outlines current strategies for the treatment of acute and long-term treatment.
