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Category: Clinical Microbiology
Central Nervous System Infections, Page 1 of 2
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This chapter provides a framework for the assessment and laboratory evaluation of immunocompromised patients presenting with central nervous system (CNS) infections. Infections of the meninges, brain, and spinal cord result in meningitis, encephalitis, and myelitis, respectively. While the chapter is limited to CNS infections, noninfectious conditions may be presented in a similar fashion. Mycobacterial and fungal meningitides tend to cause subacute or chronic meningitis. Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in immunocompromised hosts is caused by Acanthamoeba species, free-living parasites that cause CNS infection characterized by multiple mass lesions throughout the brain. Myelitis is often seen in combination with encephalitis or meningitis and can be presented as either an acute or chronic condition. CNS manifestations of tuberculosis are diverse, but tuberculous meningitis is the most frequent form, with neuroimaging findings including basilar meningeal enhancement, hydrocephalus, and infarctions in the supratentorial brain parenchyma and/or brain stem. PCR amplification of viral nucleic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is sensitive and specific, and test turnaround time has been shortened significantly, to just a few hours, by incorporating either colorimetric enzyme immunoassay or real-time detection methods. While this chapter outlines many of the most common etiologic agents, with the emergence of new infections, the migration of infectious agents into new geographic niches, and the advent of an increasing array of medications with suppressive effects on the immune system, the field continues to evolve.
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Management of immunocompromised adults with acute meningitis syndrome (fulminant course [<48 h], with fever, headache, impaired sensorium, or stiff neck). *, cultures for bacteria (aerobic/anaerobic), mycobacteria, and fungi; **, for patients on chronic corticosteroids, increase to stress dosing.
Management of patients with HIV/AIDS and subacute CNS infection syndrome (subacute illness [>3 to 7 days], with variable presence of fever, headache, progressive impairment of cognitive function, and/or focal defects). *, cultures for bacteria (aerobic/anaerobic), mycobacteria, and fungi; **, treatment decisions should factor in radiologic appearance, toxoplasma serology, and prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. See the text for details.
Management of transplant patients with subacute CNS infection syndrome (subacute illness [>3 to 7 days], with variable presence of fever, headache, progressive impairment of cognitive function, and/or focal defects). *, cultures for bacteria (aerobic/anaerobic), mycobacteria, and fungi; **, treatment decisions should factor in radiologic appearance, fungal antigen tests, and prophylactic antibiotic regimens. See the text for details.
Microbiological methods used for laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections
Major infectious causes of meningitis among immunocompromised hosts
Infectious causes of encephalitis or mass lesions of the brain among immunocompromised hosts
Infectious causes of myelitis among immunocompromised patients