The central nervous system, or CNS, comprises the brain, spinal cord and associated membranes. Under some circumstances, bacteria may enter areas of the CNS. Bacterial infection of the CNS can result in abscesses and empyemas (accumulations of pus). Abscesses have fixed boundaries, but empyemas lack definable shape and size. CNS infections are classified according to where they occur.
As pus and other material from an infection build up, pressure is exerted on the brain or spinal cord. This pressure can damage the nervous system tissue, possibly permanently. Without treatment, a CNS infection is fatal.
There are four main causes of infections of the central nervous system: bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal.
As pus and other material from an infection build up, pressure is exerted on the brain or spinal cord. This pressure can damage the nervous system tissue, possibly permanently. Without treatment, a CNS infection is fatal.
Symptoms
Treatment
There are four main causes of infections of the central nervous system: bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal.
- Bacterial Infections
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy
- Neurosyphilis
- Bacterial meningitis
- Late-stage Lyme disease
- Brain abscess
- Neuroborreliosis
- Viral Infections
- Viral meningitis
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- St. Louis encephalitis
- Japanese encephalitis
- West Nile encephalitis
- Herpes simplex encephalitis
- Rabies
- California encephalitis virus
- Varicella-zoster encephalitis
- La Crosse encephalitis
- Measles encephalitis
- Poliomyelitis
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Fungal Infections
- Cryptococcal meningitis
- Brain abscess
- Spinal epidural infection
- Protozoal Infections
- Toxoplasmosis
- Malaria
- Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis