Infections of the brain are rare because the body has evolved a number of defences to protect this vital organ. One of these is the blood-brain barrier, a thick membrane that filters out impurities from blood before allowing it into your brain.
Bacterial meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Several types of bacteria can first cause an upper respiratory tract infection and then travel through the bloodstream to the brain. The disease can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly.
Brain infections are relatively rare, but they are potentially serious and have a poor prognosis. The cornerstone of the diagnosis is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.
Bacteria and other infectious organisms can reach the brain and meninges in several ways: By being carried by the blood. By entering the brain directly from the outside (for example, through a skull fracture or during surgery on the brain) By spreading from nearby infected structures, such as the sinuses or middle ear.
If untreated, a brain abscess is almost always deadly. With treatment, the death rate is about 10% to 30%. The earlier treatment is received, the better. Some people may have long-term nervous system problems after surgery.
The prognosis for a brain infection depends on the severity of your condition, what caused the infection, and how fast treatment was initiated. Most people who experience a brain infection make a full recovery.
A cerebral abscess is an infection in your brain. It is a medical emergency that requires treatment right away. Symptoms can include headache, fever, changes in consciousness, confusion, neck stiffness, vomiting, seizures, weakness, trouble moving, and changes in vision.
Symptoms of a brain abscess
headache – which is often severe, located in a single section of the head and cannot be relieved with painkillers. changes in mental state – such as confusion or irritability. problems with nerve function – such as muscle weakness, slurred speech or paralysis on one side of the body.
A needle inserted into your lower back removes a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal column. Changes in this fluid can point to infection and inflammation in the brain. Sometimes samples of CSF can be tested to identify the cause.
MRI can detect whether there is inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, infection, eye disease, or tumors, among many other disorders. Since MRI provides more detailed images of soft tissue like the brain, it is ideal in the diagnoses and treatment of meningitis.
Secondary encephalitis.
Instead of attacking only the cells causing the infection, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the brain. Also known as post-infection encephalitis, secondary encephalitis often occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the initial infection.
When a meningitis diagnosis is suspected, there are several tests your doctor can run to confirm a diagnosis: Blood tests. Standard blood tests to analyze antibodies and foreign proteins can alert your doctor to the presence of infection.
A new study has discovered that one particular type of cell, called microglia, acts as “first responders to the scene” when the brain needs to defend itself. It does so by coordinating the immune system's defence against the virus trying to infect the brain.
Conclusion: The study showed that CT Scan is a useful investigation in the definitive/final diagnosis of brain infection.
The most common route of transmission is through hematogenous spread. Others gain access to the CNS via direct spread from local infectious foci, after head trauma or neurosurgery, or during vaginal delivery from untreated GBS-colonized mothers.
Symptoms appear within three to six days after being exposed to the virus. You can pass the virus to others for several weeks after getting the infection, even after you no longer feel sick so it is important to always wash your hands. How long does viral meningitis last?
Several tests may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the condition is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. These tests may include: a physical examination to look for symptoms of meningitis. a blood test to check for bacteria or viruses.
In the United States, approximately 2,600 sporadic cases of Bacterial Meningitis are reported each year. Meningitis caused by pneumococcal infections affects about 1.1 in 100,000 individuals. Meningitis caused by haemophilus influenza affects about . 2 in 100,000 individuals.
Fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness are the hallmark symptoms of meningitis. Others include: Nausea and vomiting. Confusion and disorientation (acting "goofy")
Routine contrast-enhanced brain MRI is the most sensitive modality for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis because it helps detect the presence and extent of inflammatory changes in the meninges, as well as complications.
Overall, it's estimated up to 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal.
Even with appropriate treatment, the death rate from bacterial meningitis is about 15-20%, with a higher death rate associated with increasing age.