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.
Symptoms can include headache, fever, changes in consciousness, confusion, neck stiffness, vomiting, seizures, weakness, trouble moving, and changes in vision. Treatment is with strong antibiotics, sometimes along with other medicines, such as steroids, and drugs to prevent seizures.
Brain abscesses commonly occur when bacteria or fungi infect part of the brain. As a result, swelling and irritation (inflammation) develop. Infected brain cells, white blood cells, live and dead bacteria or fungi collect in an area of the brain. Tissue forms around this area and creates a mass or abscess.
A huge number of pathogens related to bacterial infections can affect the brain. Diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscess may well cause such “ordinary” pathogens as pneumococcus, staphylococcus, enterobacteria.
Encephalitis (en-sef-uh-LIE-tis) is inflammation of the brain. There are several causes, including viral infection, autoimmune inflammation, bacterial infection, insect bites and others. When inflammation is caused by an infection in the brain, it's known as infectious encephalitis.
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.
The most common causes of viral encephalitis are herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus and enteroviruses, which cause gastrointestinal illness. Encephalitis can also result from certain viruses carried by mosquitoes, ticks and other insects or animals such as: West Nile virus.
A CSF analysis is used to measure different substances in your cerebrospinal fluid. It may include tests to diagnose: Infectious diseases of the brain and spinal cord, including meningitis and encephalitis. CSF tests for infections look at white blood cells, bacteria, and other substances in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Studies show that 5–32 percent of brain abscesses are fatal. Among those who survive, there may be lasting effects, depending on the extent of any damage. A brain abscess can lead to long-term neurological problems, involving issues with physical function, personality changes, and seizures.
Some people eventually make a full recovery from encephalitis, although this can be a long and frustrating process. Many people never make a full recovery and are left with long-term problems caused by damage to their brain. Common complications include: memory loss (amnesia)
A CT of the brain may be performed to assess the brain for tumors and other lesions, injuries, intracranial bleeding, structural anomalies (e.g., hydrocephalus , infections, brain function or other conditions), particularly when another type of examination (e.g., X-rays or a physical exam) are inconclusive.
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.
Treat all brain abscesses with antibiotics (usually initially with ceftriaxone or cefotaxime plus metronidazole if clinicians suspect Bacteroides species or plus vancomycin if they suspect S. aureus), typically followed by CT-guided stereotactic aspiration or surgical drainage.
Brain infections are relatively rare, but they are potentially serious and have a poor prognosis.
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, most commonly caused by a viral infection. The main causes of viral encephalitis are: Herpes viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus.
Acute meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common infectious disease of the CNS. Either leptomeninges (pia and arachnoid matter) or pachymeninges (dura matter) can be affected.
Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the brain abscess, but may include changed vision, fever, feeling sick, headache, nausea and seizures. “While rare, this is one of the most serious kinds of problems that can occur with a longstanding sinus infection,” said pediatric neurosurgeon Tanya Minasian, DO.
Other symptoms include nausea or vomiting, double vision, drowsiness, and confusion. More severe illnesses can cause speech, hearing, or vision problems. If it's left untreated, you could develop cognitive difficulties with progressive loss of consciousness, seizures, or muscle weakness.
Some brain tumours such as pituitary gland, pineal region and germ cell tumours can change the levels of certain hormones and chemicals in your body. You may have blood tests to check for specific hormones and markers to help diagnose a brain tumour.
Sepsis has various long-term effects on brain function and neurological outcomes, including alteration in mood, motor function, and cognitive impairments [4,5,6].
Sepsis can give specific symptoms depending on source of infection, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, fever, urinary symptoms, rash that doesn't go away when you roll a glass over it, bad headache, area of red hot skin, swollen wound, tummy pain, painful joints.