Series 28 July 2015

Infections of the CNS

Infections of the CNS are a major cause of preventable deaths, and the disease burden of CNS infections is particularly high in resource-poor settings. The epidemic of HIV infection, which predisposes individuals to opportunistic infections, and the spread of tropical pathogens to new areas owing to climate change and increased tourism and travel, underlines the importance of global action on CNS infections. Beginning in the August 2015 issue, Nature Reviews Neurology will be publishing a series of articles that outline the most recent advances and challenges in prevention, diagnosis and management of infections of the CNS.

Content

Metagenomics for neurological infections — expanding our imagination

This Review discusses the advantages and pitfalls of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in patients with encephalitis, meningitis and myelitis. The authors outline data on mNGS test performance, cost and turnaround time and highlight future directions for mNGS technology.
- Prashanth S. Ramachandran
- Michael R. Wilson
Review Article13 Jul 2020 Nature Reviews Neurology
Zoonotic and vector-borne parasites and epilepsy in low-income and middle-income countries

Zoonotic and vector-borne parasites are important preventable risk factors for epilepsy. The authors explore the pathophysiological basis of the link between parasitic infections and epilepsy and consider preventive and therapeutic approaches to reduce the epilepsy burden associated with parasitic disorders.
- Gagandeep Singh
- Samuel A. Angwafor
- Josemir W. Sander
Review Article19 May 2020 Nature Reviews Neurology
Japanese encephalitis — the prospects for new treatments

Japanese encephalitis remains the most commonly diagnosed epidemic encephalitis in the world despite the availability of vaccines, and new therapeutic strategies are sorely needed. Here, Turtle and Solomon summarize the epidemiology, clinical features, prevention and treatment of Japanese encephalitis and discuss the emerging challenges and opportunities for tackling the disease in humans.
- Lance Turtle
- Tom Solomon
Review Article26 Apr 2018 Nature Reviews Neurology
Tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculous menigitis (TBM) presents a major health burden around the world, especially in individuals with concomitant HIV infection, in whom mortality is nearly 50%. Here, members of the TBM International Research Consortium summarize our current understanding of TBM pathogenesis, diagnosis and management, and discuss key avenues for future research.
- Robert J. Wilkinson
- Ursula Rohlwink
- on behalf of the Tuberculous Meningitis International Research Consortium
Review Article8 Sep 2017 Nature Reviews Neurology
Cryptococcal meningitis: epidemiology, immunology, diagnosis and therapy

Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromized individuals, and, even in apparently immunocompetent individuals, carries a high risk of mortality. Treatment in immunocompromized patients is challenging because these patients are at risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This Review summarizes the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcal disease in various disease.
- Peter R. Williamson
- Joseph N. Jarvis
- Thomas S. Harrison
Review Article25 Nov 2016 Nature Reviews Neurology
HIV-associated opportunistic CNS infections: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Opportunistic infections of the CNS, such as cryptococcal meningitis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, and tuberculous meningitis, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals. This Review provides an update on diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections, as well as management of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in the setting of HIV-associated CNS infections.
- Lauren N. Bowen
- Bryan Smith
- Avindra Nath
Review Article27 Oct 2016 Nature Reviews Neurology
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder — pathogenesis and prospects for treatment

Despite highly effective combination antiretroviral therapies, the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) has not reduced. To date, clinical trials of HAND therapies have been unsuccessful, calling for better understanding of HAND pathogenesis to develop more-effective treatment strategies. In this Review, Justin McArthur and colleagues discuss recent proceedings in understanding the immunopathogenesis of HAND, drawing from human studies and animal models.
- Deanna Saylor
- Alex M. Dickens
- Justin C. McArthur
Review Article11 Mar 2016 Nature Reviews Neurology
Lyme neuroborreliosis—epidemiology, diagnosis and management

Up to 12% of patients with Lyme disease develop neurological symptoms. This syndrome, Lyme neuroborreliosis, can manifest soon after the initial infection or months to years after the event. Koedel and colleagues discuss the diagnosis and treatment of early and late Lyme neuroborreliosis, and review the controversies surrounding post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease.
- Uwe Koedel
- Volker Fingerle
- Hans-Walter Pfister
Review Article28 Jul 2015 Nature Reviews Neurology

Infections of the CNS

Content

Metagenomics for neurological infections — expanding our imagination

Zoonotic and vector-borne parasites and epilepsy in low-income and middle-income countries

Japanese encephalitis — the prospects for new treatments

Tuberculous meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis: epidemiology, immunology, diagnosis and therapy

HIV-associated opportunistic CNS infections: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder — pathogenesis and prospects for treatment

Lyme neuroborreliosis—epidemiology, diagnosis and management

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