Definition

• Acute central nervous system (CNS) infections include the following distinct clinical syndromes:
  • Acute bacterial meningitis
  • Nonbacterial meningitis (viral, fungal, mycobacterial, parasitic)
  • Encephalitis
  • Focal infections such as:
    • Brain abscess
    • Subdural empyema
    • Infectious venous thrombosis
• A CNS infection may predominantly involve:
  
  • Subarachnoid space (meningitis)
  • Brain tissue in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, or brainstem (encephalitis, generalized or localized)
  • Both the subarachnoid space and brain tissue (meningoencephalitis)
• Focal bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections involving brain tissue are classified as abscess (capsule present) or cerebritis (capsule absent).
  

The excerpt above is an example of the information available at Harrison's Practice. For full access, please subscribe today! Subscribers, log into your account below.

Login User Name: Password: Forgot your password? Remember Me

About Harrison's Practice Harrison's Practice delivers practical, concise answers to your clinical questions in an innovative and easy-to-navigate format. Available anytime, anywhere on Web, Web Wireless, and PDA, all for one subscription rate! To see a complete, unabridged topic click on any of the Free Topics below: Community-Acquired Pneumonia Cough Status Epilepticus Hypoglycemia Pancreatic Cancer Learn more