Infections of the Nervous System

This chapter provides a basic understanding of clinically relevant CNS infections. It presents the background, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, special populations, prognosis, reading list, guidelines, and evidence for CNS infections. Infections of the nervous system include meningitis (inflammation of the meninges), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain parenchyma), and abscess (a focal, encapsulated infection). The chapter explores the etiologies, presentation, and diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis. It discusses the various causes of brain abscesses, their presentation, and treatment. Dexamethasone is used for pneumococcal meningitis to prevent hearing impairment. Patients with M. tuberculosis meningitis with suspected pulmonary involvement or potential to aerosolize are to be placed on airborne isolation. When disseminated varicella zoster is suspected, including CNS disease, contact and airborne precautions are recommended. Hospital personnel in contact with the patient must be immune to varicella.