Viral brain damage. Treatment of neuroinfection in its severe course

Infections occurring in various parts of the central nervous system can be successfully treated by neurologists in our clinic. We will carry out diagnostic activities using the most modern equipment to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The experience of our neurologists allows us to effectively cope with many diseases of the central nervous system, no matter what infections they cause: viruses, bacteria, fungal infectious agents, protozoa. We will not only cure the disease, but also restore anti-infectious immunity.

The main thing about neuroinfections

Infection can affect any part of the central nervous system: the brain, spinal, peripheral nerves. Infectious agents can penetrate various injuries of the central nervous system. This can be a fracture of the skull, penetration through the blood or nerves, or other methods. The most dangerous are neuroinfections of the brain.

Infections are classified as primary and secondary. In the first case, an initial infection of the central nervous system occurs, in the second, infectious agents enter the central nervous system from other foci. Neuroinfections sometimes complicate certain infectious diseases (flu, tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes, etc.).

There are many separate types of CNS infections, but doctors isolate lesions of the membranes of the brain (meningitis) and spinal (myelitis), infection of the brain substance (encephalitis) or the substance of the spinal cord (encephalomyelitis), inflammation of the spinal roots (), lesions peripheral nerves(neuritis).

Our neurologists will assist in the most different types neuroinfections such as:

The symptomatology of diseases is very different, it depends on the type of infection. Movement disorders, muscle weakness, paralysis, tremors occur. There may be violations of speech, coordination, tactile sensitivity. Symptoms also include headaches, back pain, and limb pain.

Diseases can manifest as fever, seizures, irritability, epileptic seizures, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, impaired consciousness, behavior and mental activity. At the first such signs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Diagnosis of CNS infections in the clinic

Effective treatment of neuroinfections is possible only with an accurate diagnosis. A diagnostic examination may include:

• Examination by a specialist neurologist.
• General analyzes urine, blood, blood biochemistry.
• Laboratory research, which allow you to identify the pathogen, assess immunity (determination of antibodies to infectious pathogens, PCR diagnostics, culture). It is a laboratory assessment of immunity that can help determine how the infection entered the central nervous system.
• Electroneuromyography is performed to identify infections of the spinal cord, peripheral nerves.
• CT of the brain or spinal cord can reveal neoplasms, hemorrhages, that is, to distinguish infectious causes lesions of the central nervous system from non-infectious.
• Lumbar puncture.

Treatment of neuroinfections

The specialists of the clinic, on the basis of the diagnostic tests carried out, will choose intensive care aimed at:

• Elimination of the causative agent of the disease. For this, the doctor prescribes the most modern antibiotics, antiviral agents, interferons, immunoglobulins.
• Elimination of the source of infection. For example, if the source is in maxillary sinuses nose, you need to put them in order.
• Restoration of anti-infectious immunity. For this, a neurologist will prescribe special medications.
• Stimulating the functions of the affected areas of the central nervous system with the help of effective drugs.

Popular questions

Which neuroinfections can be contracted from a person, which—only from animals?

Answer: Only from animals can you become infected with rabies, brucellosis (it is very rare for a person to get infected from a person), leptospirosis. Toxoplasmosis can be contracted from both animals and humans. The majority of neuroinfections a person gets infected from a person.

Can CNS infection be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth?

Answer: Yes, some infections can be transmitted from the mother either through the placenta (for example, cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasmosis), or through peripheral nerves (meningoencephalitis, rabies, herpes, acute polio).

Is it true that there is still no cure for most CNS infections?

Answer: Far from it. For example, meningitis, the treatment of which is started on time, is very often cured completely and without complications thanks to modern antibiotics. With various types of encephalitis, treatment is symptomatic, the prognosis for different types of disease ranges from favorable to unfavorable. Treatment should begin immediately. For tick-borne encephalitis, there are specific drugs, in this regard, the likelihood of a complete cure is high. Different types of myelitis also have different prognosis. Herpes is effectively treated with antiviral drugs, rabies is cured if a special vaccine is started no later than two weeks after the bite of an infected animal. We can say that there are effective medicines, the use of which leads to recovery. But, unfortunately, not all of them. At the slightest suspicion of a neuroinfection, you should contact our neurologists.

What percentage of ticks are carriers of the infection?

Answer: In the European part of Russia, several percent of all ticks are infected, in Siberia, in the Far East, up to 20% of such ticks.

Infectious diseases can affect any organ. But a particular danger is a brain infection. In this article, we will talk about the causes of the disease, talk in detail about the symptoms of the disease and tell you how the treatment is carried out.

A bit of anatomy

To understand how the disease proceeds, it is necessary to study the structure of the brain. The organ is composed of gray matter surrounded by white matter. From above, the brain is covered with three membranes: hard, bordering on the bones of the skull, arachnoid and soft. They protect the organ from blows and serve as a buffer zone for infections.

Most often, an inflammatory disease of the membranes of the brain develops - meningitis.

If the infection enters the substance itself, then symptoms of encephalitis appear. Sometimes the defeat is combined with the development of meningoencephalitis.

Meningitis most often refers to inflammation of the pia mater. Arachnoiditis is also isolated - an infection of the arachnoid space.

What is the risk of a brain infection? This organ regulates all systems of our body. This is a central computer, in the event of a breakdown of which irreversible changes in the functions of other organs and tissues are triggered. After an infectious disease, memory may deteriorate, hearing or vision may be lost. In addition, the brain contains centers for the control of breathing and heartbeat, the defeat of which will cause instant death.

Etiology of infections

Most often, meningitis and encephalitis of a viral or bacterial nature occur. In an adult, infectious diseases are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria. Among viral pathogens, influenza is in the lead.

Usually, infection occurs by airborne droplets. Also, infectious diseases are transmitted through handshake, kissing, while caring for a sick person.

I would like to note the special type of distribution of Neisseriameningitidis. The bacterium causes SARS-like diseases and meningitis. It enters the body through the nasal mucosa, and later with the blood stream is transferred to the pia mater. This infection is especially dangerous due to its asymptomatic carriage. It is believed that 10% of the population tolerates Neisseria without getting a violent clinical picture. Therefore, meningitis often causes outbreaks that involve a small group. In some cases, with strong immunity, the patient suffers a mild runny nose upon contact with this microbe.

In debilitated patients, head infections caused by the herpes virus are common. Children have meningitis caused by Coxsackie viruses and echo.

Meningitis and encephalitis of a viral nature are often observed during influenza epidemics (autumn-winter period). But in some cases, the pathology flares up in the summer. Usually these are diseases caused by the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis. Like any brain infection, it is very difficult and often fatal.

Clinical picture

All diseases of the meninges and the brain itself are extremely difficult.

• Fever appears first. It can reach 39-40⁰С. As a rule, the temperature with meningitis gets lost with difficulty.
• The patient develops severe dizziness and headache... More often it is localized in the occiput and intensifies with movement.

Dizziness is an extremely subjective symptom. There are many organic and inorganic reasons for it. Dizziness can indicate neurological problems and can be a symptom of mental disorders. Establishing the cause of the dizziness is not easy. With meningitis, dizziness occurs due to vascular factors ( septic shock, low blood pressure). As for encephalitis, vertigo can be organic and triggered by destruction of the brain regions responsible for coordination (cerebellum).

• The disease is accompanied by intoxication, exhaustion.
• More often, the patient has confusion, photophobia, vomiting.
• Children often develop seizures.
• A typical sign of meningitis is a stiff neck.

A stiff neck is a tension in the back of the neck that prevents the doctor from bringing the chin to the chest. This symptom occurs with head pathology and spinal problems. Usually meningitis is accompanied by dizziness, fever and headache.

• In severe forms of meningitis, a hemorrhagic rash may appear.

Meningitis caused by Neisseria has a lightning-fast course. In a matter of hours, sepsis and shock sets in. The patient dies from multiple organ failure. This condition is especially dangerous in young children.

Encephalitis is accompanied by similar symptoms, while there is a focal loss of brain functions (loss of vision, speech).

Therapy

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causative agent of the infection. For this, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis. In the definition etiological factor lumbar puncture plays an important role. The nature of the cells contained in the cerebrospinal fluid makes it possible to distinguish between viral and bacterial meningitis.

In the case of a viral infection, treatment is carried out with antiviral drugs (for influenza viruses, herpes). For other lesions, symptomatic therapy is used. When bacterial infection the patient is given antibiotics.

To prevent cerebral edema, diuretics are added to the scheme, detoxification solutions are introduced. With a pronounced inflammatory process, it is possible to administer hormones (prednisolone, hydrocortisone).

All activities are carried out in a hospital. Sometimes the patient is immediately admitted to intensive care or intensive care. Delay in hospitalization can cost a person his life.

Head neuralgia

Diseases of the superficial nerves of the head are called neuralgia. It should not be confused with infectious brain lesions. It is popularly called a head cold. This name "head cold" was given due to the frequent connection of the onset of the disease with severe cooling. However, the disease can be caused by degenerative processes in the spine or even infectious agents (herpes virus). With a cold, there are no cerebral symptoms (nausea, vomiting, stiff neck muscles). Only superficial nerve endings are affected ( trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, occipital nerve and others). Signs of neuralgia are light dizziness, superficial shooting pains, "goose bumps". The patient is unable to turn the neck normally or lie on the affected side of the face. Also, patients complain that goosebumps run over their heads. Sometimes numbness of the skin appears.

Neuroinfections can lead to lesions of the structures of the central nervous system - what it is, how they manifest themselves and what therapy to choose to deal with them, we will consider in detail. By neuroinfections, specialists mean a fairly wide group neurological diseases that can develop in people of any gender and age.

Children and the elderly are more susceptible to them, since the disease is more severe for them, and the consequences appear more often. When applying early for medical care the likelihood of a complete cure exists. Therefore, it is not recommended to delay with the consultation of a specialist if such a pathology is suspected.

Since neuroinfection of the brain is difficult to describe from one side, neuropathologists traditionally adhere to the following classification of the disease:

By the timing of the penetration of the pathogen into the brain and the occurrence of the main symptoms:

• rapid neuroinfection - clinical manifestations of replacement in 3-8 hours from the moment of infection;
• acute course diseases - signs of inflammation are observed towards the end of the second day;
• smooth neuroinfection - such a disease characterizes the onset of symptoms within 2-7 days from the moment of infection;
• chronic neuroinfections, which are characterized by a long process, usually they occur in people whose body is already weakened by severe diseases (HIV, tuberculosis).

By the appearance of a focus of inflammation:

• primary neuroinfection - when a pathogen of a pathology enters the central nervous system from the outside;
• the secondary option is a complication of an already existing focus of infection in the human body.

Explaining to the patient what a neuroinfection is, doctors are guided by the above criteria for classifying the disease, only sometimes adding any more signs to the diagnosis. For example, the route of transmission, the existing complications.

How neuroinfection is transmitted

Viral neuroinfection is characterized by an airborne transmission route - from one person to another in close communication, prolonged stay in the same room, coughing, sneezing. By settling on the mucous membrane, especially if it is damaged, droplets of liquid from the air, with many viral particles, become a source of infection. Then pathogens enter the bloodstream and reach the meninges.

The hematogenous pathway will be inherent in the bacterial form of neuroinfection, when pathogens from the already existing primary focus move along the lymphatic pathways and blood vessels to the structures of the central nervous system. Pathologies predisposing to this: abscesses, sinusitis, otitis media, frontal sinusitis.

but cases of contact and household infection are extremely rare... Therefore, you should not be afraid that neuroinfection of the brain will appear due to the use of common canvases or dishes.

The vertical path from mother to her child is also almost impossible. When diagnosing neuroinfection in children, airborne infection is usually found guilty.

Causes of neuroinfection

The human brain is firmly protected from external aggressive factors by the bones of the skull, and from the inside by tissue membranes. However, despite such protection, pathogenic microorganisms, nevertheless, sometimes have the ability to penetrate the nerve cells and provoke inflammation in them.

The causes of neuroinfection of the brain can be:

• suffered craniocerebral trauma, which is especially dangerous - with prolonged compression of brain tissue;
• hypothermia - general and directly of the head;
• carrying out surgical interventions in the skull area using poorly processed instruments or without surgical gloves - this is absolutely unacceptable;
• poor quality dental services - non-sterile instruments.

Neuroinfection can appear as a consequence of a disease already existing in the body, which weakens the protective barriers of brain tissue. Doctors indicate provoking factors:

• state of immunodeficiency - HIV infection, tuberculosis;
• chronic focus of purulent infection - tonsillitis, otitis media, caries;
• craniocerebral trauma without control examination.

Knowing what caused and the background on which the focus of inflammation was formed in the brain tissues helps specialists choose an effective treatment strategy.

Symptoms and signs of meningitis

With the defeat of the inflammatory process of the membranes of the brain, experts talk about the occurrence of meningitis. If the causative agent is viral microorganisms, it is a viral neuroinfection. Whereas bacterial agents will provoke.

The following symptoms help to diagnose:

• tension of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the back of the head - it is difficult for the patient to tilt his head to the sternum;
• headache - intense, diffuse, cannot be treated with standard analgesic drugs;
• vomiting - frequent, profuse, does not bring relief to the person;
• the temperature is high from the very first hours of infection.

Nonspecific signs - pallor of integumentary tissues, sweating, decreased appetite, increasing weakness, hesitation blood pressure.

Diagnosis is based on a careful history taking. You will need information about contact with an already ill person, stay in the focus of infection, as well as laboratory and instrumental research - blood tests, brain tomography. Such a detailed examination makes it possible to distinguish between neuroinfection in children and in adults, as well as subsequently select the optimal therapy regimen.

Symptoms and signs of encephalitis

In the case of the appearance of an inflammatory focus directly in the tissues of the brain, we are talking about encephalitis. Such an infection is extremely dangerous for people's lives - in the absence of quick and comprehensive treatment, it can be fatal.

Treatment must necessarily take place in a hospital., drugs are selected by a doctor taking into account the identified causative agent of encephalitis, the patient's age, as well as the severity of negative symptoms.

Manifestations of arachnoiditis

The appearance of an inflammatory process in the arachnoid membrane of the brain indicates such a neuroinfection as arachnoiditis. Its development may be preceded by: craniocerebral trauma, timely poorly treated ENT diseases, rheumatism.

Increased inflammation in the arachnoid membrane provokes an intense, persistent headache in a person... It deprives the patient of the opportunity to care for himself, to perform labor duties... Other symptoms of arachnoiditis:

• vision - significantly deteriorates from the flashing of flies in front of the eyes to a sharp decrease;
• weakness - appears from the first day of infection and is constantly increasing;
• nausea - almost always ends with vomiting;
• temperature - reaches high numbers in the first days of the disease, can be kept within 37.2–37.5 degrees in chronic neuroinfection.

At severe course the disease suffers from higher nervous activity - memory, intellect, thinking. Consciousness is either deteriorated or completely absent.

Treatment tactics are aimed at suppressing the inflammatory process, restoring full blood circulation, general strengthening the patient's body.

Treatment tactics

After analyzing all the information from diagnostic examinations, the doctor selects the optimal schemes for dealing with the manifestations of neuroinfection, which is not always possible to do quickly due to the severity of the patient's condition.

The main task of specialists is to choose such drugs that will help to quickly restore the full functioning of the brain:

• anti-inflammatory drugs - antibacterial medicines that can penetrate nerve cells;
• analgesics - powerful, up to narcotic drugs;
• medicines that improve blood circulation in the structures of the brain;
• hormonal drugs- to increase the body's defenses, suppress the activity of the pathogen in the bloodstream;
• to increase immunity - vitamin complexes;
• to reduce the temperature - antipyretics, means to combat temperature.

If a person did not seek medical help on time or does not fully fulfill the doctor's prescription, the acute stage of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of complications. The consequences of neuroinfection are tragic: disability - gross disturbances in the activity of the brain do not allow a person to take care of themselves and death.

In order to prevent such complications, as well as the appearance of the neuroinfection itself, experts recommend adhering to the basic rules of prevention - hardening, eating right, treating infections in a timely manner, keeping healthy image life.

1. General intoxication of the body. The patient's body temperature rises sharply, very often to critical levels, general weakness appears in the body, and the ability to work decreases.
2. CSF Syndrome. In the cells of the cerebrospinal fluid, the amount of protein and cells, which prevail over proteins, significantly increases.
3. Symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid hypertension. Patients indicate that in the supine position, their headache significantly increases, especially in the morning, confusion or distraction of consciousness may be noted, there are cases of tachycardia and low blood pressure.

Neuroinfections in children are manifested quite often, while they have a severe course. Due to the fact that the baby's immune system is not yet fully formed, the defeat often occurs through the hemophilic rod. Based on medical research, it can be concluded that similar lesions occur in children who have a history of congenital defects nervous system: cerebral palsy, hypoxia during childbirth.

2 Diagnostic tests for suspected ailment

For the treatment to be effective and correct, it is necessary to undergo the following examinations:

1. Examination by a neurologist. Here the doctor will conduct a study of all reflexes of the body: coordination of movements, sensitivity, which will help to immediately distinguish neuroinfectious diseases from other neurological ones.
2. Laboratory blood tests. At this stage, it is extremely important to identify the causative agent of the disease and explore the possibilities immune system confront him.
3. Diagnostic tests the immune system. In the case when the infection enters through the bite of a mosquito or tick, it is necessary to correctly assess the ability to resist the disease.
4. MRI. During the study, foci of lesions of the brain or spinal cord will be determined, it is possible to recognize tumor diseases that give similar symptoms.
5. Electroneuromyography. It is done to recognize an infection of the peripheral nerves or spinal cord.

3 Therapeutic actions

Treatment for a disease caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus will depend on the location of the disease and the type of infection itself. The main objectives of drug therapy will be:

1. renewal correct work nervous system of the whole organism.
2. restoration of the body's immune system;
3. cessation of the development of infection;
4. elimination of the causative agent of the infection;

• Viral encephalitis.

When a viral encephalitis is diagnosed, the patient is immediately placed in intensive care, since careful monitoring of respiratory function in the body and blood circulation processes. In the first few days, drugs are administered to lower the temperature, antiviral and anticonvulsant. The consumption of water by sick people is minimized.

Antibiotics are used as treatment wide range actions and antibacterial drugs that remove a specific virus that caused the development of the disease. Basis for appointment drug treatment there will also be age and blood pressure indicators.

In this type, the disease is extremely difficult to immediately diagnose. The causes of brain damage can be fungi of the genus Candida or cryptococci, which enter the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, throat or ears. Most susceptible to this disease are people who have a concomitant diagnosis of AIDS. In such a group of people, fungi are activated against the background of a sharp decrease immune defense organism and affect parts of the brain.

Dangerous in this type of disease is that symptomatic manifestations do not always immediately make themselves felt, but the development of the disease entails a danger to human life. Development can be suspected by regular headaches and increased drowsiness.

Today, fungal meningitis is treatable, but only in 50% of patients. Earlier, before the invention of the drug Amphotericin B, it was 100% death. Also, doctors recommend using the drug Fluconazole and antibacterial therapy... Everything therapeutic measures carried out only in a hospital, under the strict supervision of a doctor. Daily blood tests are extremely important, which show the further development of inflammatory processes.

This type of neuroinfection is considered one of the most severe and dangerous for humans. With damage to the spinal cord, serious complications almost always remain: nerve cells die, which leads to paralysis, dysfunction of the intestines, Bladder.

As a treatment, drugs of the glucocorticosteroid group and broad-spectrum antibiotics will be used. It is very important to pass timely treatment in the hospital in order to immediately stop the development of concomitant diseases, which will be activated against the background of myelitis.

Since in almost all cases of myelitis paralysis occurs, it is extremely important to organize proper care for the patient and his skin, use means that prevent the appearance of pressure sores.

4 Results of the past illness

The most terrible and serious consequences are those that were transferred in utero. Here there will be violations in the formation of organs, the nervous system, malformations.

In an adult after past diseases headache remains, constant pain in the back, which are worse when the weather changes. Many doctors also state that after recovery in such patients, memory deteriorates, problems with memorization are noted, hearing and vision may be impaired. There are isolated cases when a neuroinfectious disease leads to complete disability, a person loses sight or hearing.

Neuroinfection is a group serious illnesses that pose a danger to human life. Only attention to your body and a quick visit to a doctor can minimize the development of complications or the likelihood of death.

Symptoms, treatment and consequences of various types of neuroinfection

Infectious lesions of the nervous system are one of the most common forms of neurological pathology, which accounts for at least 42% of all diseases in this area.

The prognosis in most cases is disappointing.

Neuroinfection of the brain is classified depending on the localization of the pathological process, based on which, they are distinguished:

• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue caused by an infection);
• myelitis ( inflammatory process spinal cord caused by pathogens);
• arachnoiditis (infectious inflammation affects the arachnoid meninges);
• meningitis (infectious inflammation spreads to the lining of the brain).

In addition to the listed types of neuroinfection, combined pathologies develop, for example, encephalomyelitis, meningoencephalitis.

Combined forms of infection of the nervous system are much more difficult to diagnose, despite the fact that in last years the ability to diagnose neuroinfections has improved significantly.

Depending on the duration of the pathogenic process, there is an acute (meningitis, encephalitis), subacute and chronic (arachnoiditis, arachnoencephalitis) course of an infectious lesion of the central nervous system.

Ways of transmission of infection and infection

The main route of transmission is airborne: infection most often occurs through contact with a virus carrier, a sick person, during his coughing or sneezing. Infection is transmitted, including through a kiss, if saliva gets on the mucous membrane of healthy people.

A predisposing factor is the presence of erosions on the gums or their inflammation, as well as microscopic injuries mucous epithelium oral cavity - if the listed circumstances are relevant, it will be easier for the pathogen to enter the body and begin to circulate in it, developing an infection.

The hematogenous route of infection is no less common. The pathological process goes to the head and spinal cord in the case when the body has a focus of chronic infection, including damage to the vessels supplying these important centers. Such predisposing pathologies are otitis media, brain abscess, thrombosis of the cerebral sinuses.

Neuroinfection develops, including due to the lymphogenous transmission pathway, when there are hidden complications of the transferred craniocerebral and spinal injuries in the patient's body. Especially if it is burdened with liquorrhea.

The infection is not transmitted by household contact, therefore, if you use personal funds and things of the virus carrier, infection will not occur. Seasonality of pathology - hot summer - this condition is most favorable for the spread of infection, therefore, populated areas with arid, sultry climate are more susceptible to neuroinfection.

Reasons for defeat

In summary, it should be noted that an infection affecting the nervous system can be caused by both viral, bacterial, and fungal etiology.

Voicing the diagnosis, taking into account the origin of the pathogen, the penetration of which into the body gave rise to the infection. Therefore, the "bacterial", "viral", "fungal" (meningitis, encephalitis, etc.)

The causes of neuroinfection of the brain are:

• postponed traumatic brain injury (especially, accompanied by prolonged compression);
• hypothermia (stay in low temperature air without a hat);
• if, during surgical interventions on the brain or spinal cord, medical instruments or consumables were used, of a low-quality level of sterilization;
• if the surgical or therapeutic intervention was complicated by a violation of the integrity of the doctor's gloves or was carried out without their use;
• transferred viral diseases (more often - flu).

Predisposing factors include:

• low immunity (especially if the patient has HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis or other diseases that undermine the protective properties of the body);
• the presence of foci of purulent infection (tonsillitis, otitis media), their latent course or rapid transition from the acute stage to the chronic form;
• ignoring the follow-up examination after previous illnesses, as well as cranial or spinal cord injuries.

The main types of infectious brain lesions

In neurosurgical and neurological practice, the following types of infections of the nervous system are encountered.

Dangerous meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and / or spinal cord. Infection occurs by hematogenous, lymphogenous or airborne droplets.

Pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi; predisposing factors are the presence (including hidden) of purulent or inflammatory chronic processes in the sinuses of the nasopharynx or the auditory canal, as well as hypothermia of the body.

The symptoms of meningitis are quite specific: by visualizing them, you can quickly diagnose this type of neuroinfection by starting its treatment.

The most pronounced manifestations:

• stiff neck muscles (the patient cannot tilt his head forward);
• intense headache, which is always accompanied by vomiting (this symptom raises doubts among experts as to whether the patient has meningitis or a concussion - the determining factor is the history);
• an increase in body temperature to a high mark.

Treatment involves bed rest and antibiotic therapy. drugs broad-spectrum antimicrobial. The forecast is favorable.

Features of arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is an inflammatory process, the localization of which is in the arachnoid membrane of the brain. The development of arachnoiditis is caused by previous head injuries, the presence of rheumatism, and a timely treatment of ENT infection.

The symptoms of this type of neuroinfection are:

• severe, persistent headache, making it impossible to perform even elementary actions;
• deterioration of vision;
• weakness;
• nausea, the attack of which ends with vomiting;
• increased body temperature;
• it is possible to develop nosebleeds due to cerebrovascular accident;
• insomnia;
• in severe cases - impaired consciousness or lack of it.

The prognosis for the patient is favorable only if the diagnosis is made in a timely manner and treatment is performed. Therapy for this disease is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, stabilizing cerebral circulation and general strengthening of the patient's body.

Defeat with encephalitis

Encephalitis - inflammation of the brain tissue is a consequence of tick-borne lesions, as well as the penetration and exposure of bacteria and viruses. If the patient neglects to seek medical help, the prognosis is poor and even fatal. The symptoms of this type of neuroinfection are pronounced:

• the headache worsens in the supine position, is stable (it is poorly and for a short time relieved by analgesics);
• there is an increase in body temperature;
• weakness and feeling of weakness are growing, as manifestations of general intoxication of the body.

Oculomotor disorders are part of the symptom complex characteristic of this type of neuroinfection: the patient develops ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), a feeling of double vision, and general visual impairment.

Dyspepsia is manifested by nausea, which is especially common after movement by transport; vomiting occurs.

Hospitalization presupposes further therapy with antibiotics, hormonal drugs and general tonic.

Diagnostics and treatment

The most informative type of research is MRI, CT, and also an encephalogram. The laboratory part of the diagnosis involves the study of blood and urine.

An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is also carried out - cerebrospinal fluid, in which it is determined elevated level squirrel. Each of these diagnostic procedures allows you to visualize the state of the brain and spinal cord, to determine the localization of the pathogenic process, the degree of infection and involvement of tissues in the inflammatory process.

Treatment for neuroinfection is as follows:

• Having established the diagnosis, the patient is hospitalized.
• Vein catheterization is performed (an indwelling intravenous catheter is installed).
• Antibiotic therapy is prescribed. The antimicrobial drug is chosen by the doctor taking into account which pathogen triggered the development of neuroinfection: only by adhering to this, one can count on the success of the treatment. Antibiotics are given intravenously or by drip (via infusion), as this provides instantaneous ingestion medicinal substance into the blood as opposed to performing intramuscular injection... Commonly used drugs include Cefepim, Medaxone, Ceftazidime.
• The patient is prescribed hormonal drugs - mainly Prednisolone and Dexamethasone, the dosage of which is determined by the severity of the patient and the form of the pathology. If the neuroinfection is combined, then the dosage of the hormonal substance should be higher than with a separate infectious disease of the nervous system.
• The patient's immunity is supported by the introduction of vitamin complexes.
• Correction of the blood pressure level is carried out by introducing magnesium sulfate.
• In order to reduce the degree of cerebral edema, the patient is injected with diuretics: Furosemide, Lasix.
• Throughout the patient's stay in the hospital, the vital signs of his body are monitored. Keeping them on normal level provides continuous infusion therapy of the patient with saline solutions and glucose.
• The patient's diuresis is monitored.
• In order to prevent exhaustion, parenteral nutrition of the patient is performed; carry out hygienic care.

Potential consequences and prevention

The most severe consequences of neuroinfection include death; disability; dementia. These consequences are a good reason not to postpone seeking medical help, undergo an examination and follow all the doctor's prescriptions.

It is possible to prevent the development of neuroinfection: for this, ENT and dental pathologies should be promptly treated, contact with infected people should be avoided, a headdress should be put on at low air temperatures and immunity should be strengthened.

This section was created to take care of those who need a qualified specialist, without disturbing the usual rhythm of their own life.

Treatment of neuroinfection: what rules need to be followed, what consequences can be

The concept of "neuroinfection" includes diseases of the central (brain or spinal cord) or peripheral (nerve trunks, plexuses, nerves) of the nervous system, predominantly inflammatory in nature, which were caused by any microbe or virus (sometimes fungi).

This is a fairly large list of diseases. Some of them are acute, others are sluggish, chronic. Acute diseases may appear once in a lifetime, or may become prone to recurrence. Treatment for neuroinfection differs on a case-by-case basis.

• meningitis (inflammation of the membrane common to the spinal cord and brain);
• encephalitis is an inflammation of the substance of the brain itself, mainly caused by viruses, for example, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus;
• rabies;
• tetanus;
• myelitis (inflammation triggered by an infection in the spinal cord).

The list is very long. Major diseases:

• neurosyphilis;
• brucellosis;
• neuroAIDS;
• neurobrucellosis;
• leprosy (leprosy);
• tuberculous damage to the nervous system.

Features of the course of neuroinfection

Neuroinfections in children often have an acute course of varying severity. There is also some specificity associated with the greater immaturity of the immune system of babies. For example, meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae damage to the nervous system is more common in children than in adults. In the latter, such microbes generally do not reach the brain, causing meningococcal nasopharyngitis(runny nose and sore throat) or hemophilic pneumonia. In practice, it has been noticed that children are more susceptible to neuroinfection, who have congenital "malfunctions" in the work of the nervous system: hypoxia during childbirth, cerebral palsy, cytomegalovirus infection brain during pregnancy.

Starts upon receipt of at least preliminary results of the survey. So, if there is a suspicion of meningitis or encephalitis, a lumbar puncture is mandatory. According to this analysis, the doctor looks at whether the inflammation is purulent or serous. Proceeding from this, treatment begins: with purulent inflammation, antibiotics are required, with serous inflammation - antiviral agents. If the neuroinfection occurred as a secondary lesion (that is, there was first pneumonia, and then meningitis occurred), then antibiotics are prescribed without fail. At clinical picture such diseases as poliomyelitis, tetanus, brucellosis, first, blood, urine, and feces are taken for bacteriological and serological (for viruses) research, and only then, after a short period of time, treatment with antibiotics and antiviral agents, anti-tetanus serum begins. In addition to antimicrobial agents, the treatment of neuroinfection includes (according to indications):

• hormonal agents (for example, in case of meningococcal infection, the medicines "Prednisolone", "Dexamethasone" are viable);
• anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen, Diclofenac;
• sedation therapy;
• oxygen therapy;
• drugs that improve blood rheology;
• other medications (depending on the situation).

Treatment of neuroinfection in its severe course

Includes transfer of the patient to artificial ventilation lungs (if there is a disturbance of consciousness, prolonged convulsions), it is possible to maintain anesthesia for a long time, the introduction of drugs that maintain blood pressure at a normal level, the administration of drugs that thin the blood.

The consequences of neuroinfection can be different. The most common occurrence is headache (or back pain - with spinal cord inflammation), which occurs “in the weather”. Also, there is often a violation of memorization, impairment of hearing or vision, up to a complete loss of these feelings. As a result of neuroinfection, a person can become disabled, therefore timely treatment and adequate treatment are important.

Spinal cord and brain neuroinfections

The worst infections affecting the nervous system are myelitis, poliomyelitis, poliomyelitis-like and demyelinating diseases, as well as neuro-rheumatism (rheumatic vasculitis and chorea minor). Also among the dangerous neuroinfections in adults and children who become infected at birth are neurosyphilis and neuro AIDS. The consequences of a neuroinfection, as a rule, are strong and persistent, especially when it comes to children who are infected at an early age.

Infectious diseases of the nervous system (neuroinfections) include diseases of the nervous system resulting from the penetration of viruses or bacteria into it. Accordingly, viral and bacterial neuroinfections of the brain are isolated. In addition, there are primary and secondary neuroinfections. With a primary neurological infection, the pathogen that has entered the body immediately affects the nervous system (poliomyelitis); with secondary - damage to the nervous system arises as a complication, against the background of some kind of inflammatory focus in the body (tuberculous meningitis).

The penetration of the pathogen into the body does not mean that the disease will necessarily develop. The state of the macroorganism and its reactive-protective properties are extremely important. The blood-brain barrier plays an important role, i.e. the barrier between blood, on the one hand, and cerebrospinal fluid and nerve tissue, on the other. Barrier functions are performed by the connective tissue surrounding the vessels (astrocytic macroglia, the cells of which closely intertwine the vessels of the brain and protect it from infectious toxic effects). The causative agent can be localized in the membranes of the brain or its substance.

On this page, you will learn about the symptoms of brain and spinal cord neuroinfections, as well as how to treat these diseases.

Neurological infection of the central nervous system myelitis

Myelitis is an infectious nervous disease which is an inflammation of the spinal cord. The disease is polietiologic, but more often of an infectious-allergic nature. The focus of inflammation covers, as a rule, the entire diameter of the spinal cord, as if cutting it at a certain level, usually the lower thoracic cord. This infection of the central nervous system begins acutely with an increase in body temperature, general malaise, chills. Also, the symptoms of this neuroinfection are paresthesias, pain in the back, chest, abdomen, legs. Sensitivity is detuned in a segmental and conductive manner; lower paraparesis or paraplegia increases; the function of the pelvic organs is impaired (first delay, and then incontinence of urine and feces); bedsores appear in the area of ​​the sacrum and buttocks. The type of paralysis depends on the localization of the process.

With damage to the upper cervical segments of the spinal cord, spastic paralysis of the upper and lower extremities develops, if the focus is in the area of ​​the cervical thickening, then flaccid paralysis of the hands and spastic paralysis of the legs occur. On defeat thoracic spastic paralysis of the lower extremities occurs and pelvic disorders appear; if the lumbar thickening is affected, then flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities develops.

In the cerebrospinal fluid there is a small lymphocytic pleocytosis, protein up to 1 g / l. Severe patients develop pyelocystitis, urosepsis. Due to the attachment of a secondary infection, a fatal outcome is possible. Myelitis is especially difficult cervical when the respiratory muscles are affected and the bulbar part of the brain stem is involved in the process.

Treatment for this neuroinfection includes antibiotics, corticosteroids, dehydration agents, vitamins, symptomatic drugs.

IN recovery period shows exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy, biostimulants, with spastic paralysis - baclofen, midocalm, skutamil-c:

Balneo-mud therapy at specialized resorts for spinal patients. The restoration of functions lasts up to two years.

Myelitis care is extremely important. Shown are strict bed rest, position on the shield, prevention of bedsores. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of bed and underwear, turn the patient, irradiate his skin with quartz, wipe with camphor alcohol.

When bedsores appear, a brilliant green solution, Kalanchoe ointment, Vishnevsky ointment, olazol are used:

The necrotic tissue is excised. In case of urinary retention, bladder catheterization is performed, followed by rinsing with disinfectant solutions.

Viral neuroinfection poliomyelitis in children: symptoms and how to treat

Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease of childhood, accompanied by damage to the motor neurons of the anterior horns of the spinal cord and the nuclei of the cranial nerves. The causative agent is a virus, infection occurs by airborne droplets or alimentary. Mostly children under the age of 5 who have not been vaccinated against poliomyelitis get sick.

The incubation period lasts 5-14 days. There are three clinical types of poliomyelitis: paralytic, aparalytic and abortive. During the paralytic type, four periods are distinguished: acute febrile (preparative), paralytic, restorative and residual.

The disease begins acutely, with a rise in temperature to 39 - 40 ° C, headache, pain in the back and extremities. Determined inflammatory changes in the pharynx, nasopharynx, vomiting, diarrhea. Also, symptoms of this neuroinfection in children are impaired consciousness, drowsiness, lethargy, convulsions, delirium. On the 2-3rd day, meningeal symptoms appear, the face becomes hyperemic, but a pale triangle remains around the mouth. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure is increased, lymphocytic pleocytosis - up to 200 cells / μL.

At the end of the preparative period, which lasts 3-5 days, paralysis appears. Paralysis develops within a few hours, they are usually asymmetric and more pronounced in the limbs. Less commonly, the muscles of the back, neck, abdomen are affected. Affected muscles quickly undergo atrophy. Bulbar paralysis is possible.

The recovery period begins in 1-2 weeks and lasts up to three years.

In the residual period, patients have persistent peripheral paralysis, contractures, deformities of bones and joints. The affected limbs lag behind in growth, possibly curvature of the spine.

The aparalytic (enveloped) type of poliomyelitis is similar serous meningitis and is not accompanied by the development of paresis and paralysis.

The abortive type downstream resembles influenza, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract disease, but without symptoms of focal lesions of the nervous system. Of particular importance for the diagnosis of this nervous infection is the study of washings from the nasopharynx, feces, urine, blood and cerebrospinal fluid for the polio virus.

Patients are subject to immediate hospitalization, shown strict bed rest, position on the shield.

Patients are injected with convalescent serum (30-60 ml intramuscularly) or measles serum at the same dose; gamma globulin (0.5-1 ml / kg intramuscularly); whole blood of parents or relatives (intramuscular injection). These funds are administered daily or every other day. Shown are dehydration and detoxification therapy, if necessary - analgesics, anticonvulsants. In the residual period, measures are taken to prevent the development of contractures and normalize the impaired functions. In the recovery period, biostimulants, absorbents, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy, electrical muscle stimulation, balneotherapy, orthopedic measures are prescribed, and, if necessary, surgical treatment.

To treat this neuroinfection as effectively as possible, patients need to be provided with strict bed rest, a position on the shield. Careful skin treatment, prevention of pressure ulcers, in case of swallowing disorder - drainage of airways, tube feeding is necessary.

When poliomyelitis occurs, an emergency notification card is drawn up; the patient is urgently hospitalized for at least 40 days; and the room where the patient was, his belongings, linen, clothes are disinfected. Sputum, urine, feces are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, chloramine or carbolic acid. Children in contact with the patient are injected intramuscularly with gamma globulin at the rate of 0.3-0.5 ml / kg or 30 ml of measles serum or whole blood of the parents.

Prevention of this infection of the nervous system is carried out with a live, weakened vaccine in the form of pills or drops inside.

Currently, all patients with myelitis, especially children, must be examined for polio.

Viral poliomyelitis-like infections of the nervous system

Due to effective prevention, the incidence of poliomyelitis has decreased, but the number of diseases similar to it - poliomyelitis-like - has sharply increased. These viral infections of the nervous system are caused by various pathogens, but more often by mumps, herpes viruses, Coxsackie enteroviruses and ECHO. The clinic of these diseases resembles the picture of paralytic poliomyelitis, but it proceeds more easily and does not pose a danger to the patient's life. Neurological symptoms quickly regress. Patients have a weak temperature reaction and minor changes in the cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes myalgias, arthralgias, skin rashes are noted.

Treatment is carried out according to general principles treatment of neuroinfections.

Slow infections are chronic, slowly progressive diseases with a predominant lesion of some parts of the nervous system, while degenerative changes prevail over inflammatory ones. These include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, kuru and others, which are caused by unidentified delayed-action viruses that promote the production of specific antibodies in the body.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a chronic progressive disease due to systemic damage to the central and peripheral motor neurons and degenerative changes in the lateral cords, anterior horns of the spinal cord and motor nuclei of the cranial nerves. The etiology of the disease has not been elucidated, but it is believed that it is caused by a genetic deficiency of the immune system and neurotropic viruses. People get sick for years.

4 main syndromes are identified:

• Combination of central and peripheral paralysis and paresis;
• Reflex changes;
• Fibrillar and fascicular twitching;
• Bulbar paralysis.

Small muscles of the hands atrophy, then all muscles of the limbs and trunk and, finally, muscles of the face, tongue, soft palate undergo atrophy. Speech, swallowing, breathing are impaired. The disease is progressing steadily.

Treatment is carried out almost continuously and consists in stimulating metabolic processes in the nervous and muscle tissue(bemitil 0.5 per day, aloe extract, ATP, vitamins, cocarboxylase, solcoseryl):

Improving blood flow (no-spa, papaverine, pentoxifylline):

Decreased muscle tone (baclofen, skutamil-c).

Improving neuromuscular transmission (proserin, kalymin):

Anabolic steroids (retabolil) are also used:

And in case of violation of the act of swallowing, glucose, albumin, protein and other drugs are parenterally administered. Massage the affected muscles. All patients have an unfavorable prognosis.

Demyelinating infections affecting the nervous system

This group of diseases is characterized by pathomorphological changes in the nervous system caused by damage to the myelin sheaths. Axial cylinders, as a rule, remain intact and die only in cases of a far-advanced process.

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease with multiple small focal lesions of the nervous system and a remitting course. This pathogenesis is not fully understood, but it is believed that this is a disease of an infectious-allergic nature against the background of genetic immune deficiency. Multiple sclerosis often occurs in young people (20-40 years old). The disease is more common in regions with a cold climate.

The disease is based on the demyelination process, i.e. destruction of the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers. At the site of foci of demyelination, gliosis tissue can develop, forming areas of compaction of a grayish-pinkish color. These dense lesions are called sclerotic plaques (hence the name "multiple sclerosis"). Amazed white matter mainly the lateral and posterior cords of the spinal cord, the cerebellum and its pathways, the optic nerves.

At the onset of the disease, patients complain of general weakness, rapid fatigue, especially in the legs, dizziness, paresthesia, impaired walking ("legs do not obey"), double vision, decreased visual acuity. Characterized by spastic lower paraparesis with very high reflexes and pathological symptoms of Babinsky, Rossolimo, etc. Urination is impaired in the central type, ie. retention of urine. Abdominal reflexes disappear. As a result of damage to the cerebellum, the gait becomes wobbly, atactic; during coordination tests, a miss and an intentional tremor occur; jerky chanted speech and nystagmus appear.

Visual acuity decreases, disc atrophy is noted in the fundus optic nerves, more often the temporal halves. The psyche of patients is changing according to the type of euphoria and uncriticality to their condition.

The course of the disease is usually undulating. After a certain period of time (weeks, months), the symptoms may completely disappear, remission occurs, and then deterioration again (exacerbation of the process). Multiple sclerosis rarely causes death of patients, but relatively quickly leads to disability. Patients die from intercurrent infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis).

The diagnosis is established when multiple lesions of the nervous system are detected, the presence of at least two episodes of remission and relapse in history, and according to the results of CT and MRI studies.

Treatment. The main principles of treatment for multiple sclerosis are:

• Relief of exacerbation of the disease
• Preventing new flare-ups
• The choice of measures that allow the patient to adapt to his condition and make his life as easy as possible

Treatment is aimed at suppressing the autoimmune process.

During an exacerbation, corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) are prescribed:

Immunomodulators (Betaferon, Copaxone):

Antioxidants (emoxipin, mexidol, vitamin E):

Antiplatelet agents (aminocaproic acid, dipyridamole):

Desensitizing agents (suprastin, diazolin, calcium gluconate):

Muscle relaxants (baclofen, midocalm, sirdalud):

Benzodiazepines (clonazepam, diazepam):

Also plasmapheresis, hemodesis, contrikal, gordox, courantil, trental:

Diazepam 0.005 per day is also used, followed by an increase in the dose to 0.06 per day, clonazepam in remission:

Immunity is stimulated (levamisole 0.15 per day for 2-3 days every week, the course of treatment is 5-6 months; taktivin, thymalin, prodigiosan):

Reduce platelet aggregation (courantil, tagren, xanthinol nicotinate):

Improve metabolic processes (piracetam, nootropil, aminalon):

To affect the reactivity of the body and the fastest restoration of functions, pyrogenal, propermil are administered, exercises are prescribed remedial gymnastics and massage. From physiotherapy, diathermy of the spine, ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis are used. Spa treatment not shown. The diet should include foods containing lipotropic substances (cottage cheese, fish, legumes).

There is no effective prevention of multiple sclerosis. However, to prevent exacerbations, the patient should avoid overwork, hypothermia, trauma and infections (flu, tonsillitis). Possible unfavorable development of the disease during pregnancy. Currently, all patients with multiple sclerosis are taken to the computer dispensary and are under constant supervision.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. This is an infectious-allergic disease in which foci of demyelination occur mainly in the white matter of the brain. The causative agent is a virus. The disease begins acutely or subacutely, manifests itself as a headache, elevated temperature body, meningeal symptoms and symptoms of focal lesions of the brain and spinal cord. The most common are hemiparesis, cerebellar ataxia, nystagmus, and cranial nerve damage. The mortality rate is from 8 to 32%. The disease should be differentiated from multiple sclerosis. A stormy beginning, a great depth of the pathological process, the absence of euphoricity testify in favor of encephalomyelitis. Treatment is carried out according to the principles of treatment of viral neuroinfections.

Infectious disease of the nervous system neurorheumatism

Neurorheumatism is an infectious-allergic disease of the nervous system, in which connective tissue and vessels of the parenchyma and meninges are affected. The most common forms of neurorheumatism are cerebral rheumatic vasculitis and rheumatic encephalitis, or chorea minor.

Cerebral rheumatic vasculitis is characterized by rheumatic lesions of the cerebral vessels, focal changes in the nervous tissue caused by thrombosis of small and medium arteries, as well as subarachnoid hemorrhages, cerebral vascular embolism and micro-strokes. This neuroinfection of the brain begins against the background of an exacerbation of the rheumatic process, manifests itself in weakness, malaise, low-grade fever. Hemiparesis or hemiplegia, aphasia, or other focal symptoms develop suddenly. Consciousness is usually not disturbed.

Rheumatic encephalitis develops acutely, more often against the background of exacerbation of the rheumatic process. Headache, vomiting, meningeal signs, the body temperature rises to 39 ° C, symptoms of focal brain damage appear (paresis, paralysis, hyperkinesis, dysfunction of the cranial nerves, aphasia, seizures). Delirium, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation are possible. Hemorrhagic rheumatic encephalitis, which develops like a stroke, is especially difficult.

A hyperkinetic variant of rheumatic encephalitis is rheumatic, or small, chorea, in which degenerative changes prevail over inflammatory ones. The disease develops gradually, mainly in schoolchildren 6-15 years old. First, hyperkinesis of the facial muscles appears - patients grimace, close their eyes, smack their lips, shrug their shoulders, pretentiously move their hands; then coordination is impaired, muscle tone decreases, memory and attention deteriorate. Patients become absent-minded, indifferent, laughing and crying for no reason.

Chorea sometimes develops in pregnant women. It is also associated with rheumatism and is considered an indication for artificial termination of pregnancy. Rheumatic chorea lasts 1-5 months and usually ends with recovery.

Treatment is carried out with corticosteroids (prednisone, metipred):

Antibiotics (penicillin, ampiox, gentamicin):

Salicylates (sodium salicylate, aspirin):

Derivatives of pyrazolone (amidopyrine, analgin):

Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, pipolfen, tavegil):

Hemostatic agents (dicinone, gelatinol, aminocaproic acid):

Vitamins, nootropic agents (cerebrolysin, piracetam, nootropil):

According to indications, anticonvulsants are given (finlepsin, gluferal):

Nervous system infection neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis is understood as symptom complexes that arise with syphilitic damage to the nervous system. Treponema pallidum penetrates the blood-endophalic barrier and causes inflammatory changes in the membranes and vessels of the brain and spinal cord. Distinguish between early forms of neurosyphilis, appearing in the first years after infection (meningitis, endarteritis, gum, neuritis and polyneuritis), and late, which appear later after infection (tabes dorsal and progressive paralysis). Under the influence of penicillin therapy, most forms of neurosyphilis have almost completely disappeared. The exception is acute syphilitic meningitis, which occurs in 1-2% of patients with a secondary stage of syphilis (3-18 months after infection).

The disease is characterized by a gradual increase in symptoms. The membranes of the bases of the brain are mainly affected. Body temperature rises to ° C, psychomotor agitation develops, meningeal symptoms are determined, nocturnal paroxysmal headaches appear, nausea, dizziness, tinnitus, photophobia, paresis of cranial nerves (diplopia, ptosis, strabismus, pupillary constriction and sluggish reaction to light) ), convulsive seizures are noted. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure is increased, pleocytosis is up to 2000 cells / μl, the protein content is up to 1.2 g / l. In some cases, a positive Wasserman reaction is noted.

In tertiary syphilis (5-10 years after infection), meningovascular syphilis may develop, which is characterized by various forms chronic damage to the membranes, substances and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord.

Tabes dorsalis is currently extremely rare, occurs a year after infection. It is characterized by shooting "dagger" pains, lack of reflexes and deep sensitivity on the legs, associated ataxia, pelvic abnormalities and pupillary anomalies - Argyle-Robertson syndrome (pupillary deformation, anisocoria, their lack of response to light, while intact on convergence and accommodation ), in severe cases, paralysis.

Progressive paralysis is also extremely rare. Appears one year after infection.

During the course of the disease, three stages are distinguished:

• Initial - neurasthenic
• The second - with severe psychopathological symptoms
• The third - the stage of insanity with complete mental and physical decay

Syphilis of the brain can be congenital in children and is characterized by a delay in their development.

To clarify the diagnosis of neurosyphilis great importance have serological reactions (especially Wasserman) in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Treatment includes antibiotics (penicillin, biomycin):

Antisyphilitic drugs (iodine, bismuth):

Sulfozin is carried out according to special schemes in the form of repeated courses:

NeuroAIDS viral infection

It has now been established that the HIV infection virus has exceptional variability and special neurotropic properties. Therefore, AIDS patients may experience various neurological and mental disorders, manifested by a predominant violation of cognitive and motor functions. In this case, the membranes, vessels and parenchyma of the brain are affected, many small infarctions occur and diffuse demyelination occurs both in the cortex and in the subcortical structures. Anatomically, there is a picture of severe panencephalitis, combined with atrophic processes, which manifests itself in symptoms similar to viral encephalitis.

Clinically, neuroAIDS proceeds as meningitis, meningoencephalitis, hemorrhagic stroke with rapidly increasing dementia, epileptiform seizures. Death can occur as early as 2 years after the onset of the disease.

In addition to cerebral forms, diffuse myelopathy, polyneuropathy with a predominant lesion of the lower extremities, caused by HIV infection, are observed. There are no specific changes in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Diagnosis of such viral neuroinfection is based on the results of laboratory responses to AIDS.

Treatment is carried out as in viral neuroinfection with the careful use of symptomatic and neurotropic agents.

Retrovir (azidothymidine), immunofan, viferon, cycloferon are prescribed:

Consequences of neuroinfection of the spinal cord and brain in children

Infectious diseases of the nervous system in children are much more common than in adults. This is due to the peculiarities of the reactivity of the nervous system in children, their lack of immunity and the associated hypersensitivity to pathogens, as well as imperfection of the blood-brain barrier.

Features of infections of a neurological nature in children are: severe course; severe hyperthermia; the predominance of shell and cerebral symptoms over focal; seizures due to increased convulsive readiness of the child's brain.

The likelihood of persistent consequences of neuroinfections is extremely high. In children who have had encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, developmental delay, decreased intelligence, and characterological changes are possible. Also, such consequences of neuroinfections in children as behavior disorders are possible. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of infectious lesions of the spinal cord and brain in children is extremely important.

Infectious lesions of the nervous system are considered one of the most common forms of neurological pathology. In most cases, the prognosis is disappointing. Neuroinfection of the brain has various symptoms, and, accordingly, specialists select a treatment for them. Much depends on the location and course of the pathological process.

This is a fairly serious infectious disease provoked by viruses, fungi or bacteria. It affects the nervous system and the brain and, at the same time, has a severe course with a high percentage of unfavorable outcomes. An infectious lesion includes a whole list of diseases that can be very detrimental to the state of the brain. Pathology can have an acute form of its course, pass into a chronic stage, or it can proceed rather sluggishly. As shows medical practice, the disease can proceed in an acute form only once and no longer bother the patient or, on the contrary, have frequent relapses.

Classification

Neuroinfection of the brain is classified depending on the course of the pathological process, based on which, they are distinguished:

• encephalitis;
• meningitis;
• myelitis;
• arachnoiditis.

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue caused by an infection. Myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord, provoked by pathogens. Arkhanioditis is an infectious inflammation affecting arachnoid brain. Meningitis is an infectious inflammation that spreads to all the lining of the brain.
In addition to all these types, there may be combined pathologies. They are much more difficult to diagnose.
Depending on the duration of the pathological process, the acute, subacute and chronic course of CNS damage is distinguished.

Causes

Regardless of the type of pathology and the area of ​​its localization, the causes of damage to the nervous system are the same for all types of the disease. It can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogen. When making a diagnosis of neuroinfection, the type of pathogen that provoked the infectious lesion must be taken into account.

The main causes of neuroinfection of the central nervous system are:

• suffered traumatic brain injury;
• hypothermia;
• surgical interventions on the brain and spinal cord;
• previous infectious diseases.

In addition, there are certain predisposing factors, which include low immunity, especially if diseases that worsen the state of the immune system have previously been transferred. Also, the cause of the appearance of the disease may be the presence of pustular infections, their latent course or a sharp transition from the acute to the chronic stage. Often, neuroinfection occurs after an operation or dental treatment when using instruments of poor quality sterilization.

Symptoms

Regardless of the type of damage to the nervous system, the ongoing infectious process, the main symptoms of neuroinfection differ, such as:

• general intoxication of the body;
• liquor syndrome;
• CSF hypertension syndrome.

Intoxication of the body is characterized by the fact that the patient's body temperature rises sharply, often to critical levels, a headache appears, severe weakness and a significant decrease in working capacity.
CSF syndrome is characterized by the fact that in the cells of the cerebrospinal fluid, the amount of protein and other pathological cells that prevail over protein significantly increases. The symptom of cerebrospinal fluid hypertension is expressed in the fact that a patient in a lying state has a headache that sharply increases, especially in the morning, confusion or distraction of consciousness is also observed, occasionally there are cases of tachycardia, a decrease in blood pressure.

Quite often, neuroinfections are observed in children and they are much more complicated. This is due to the fact that the child's immune system is not yet fully formed and the defeat occurs through the penetration of the hemophilic rod. Based on the medical research carried out, it can be concluded that such pathologies occur in children with congenital malformations of the nervous system, in particular, it is infantile cerebral palsy or during hypoxia during the birth process.

Diagnostics

When the first symptoms of the course of the disease appear, it is imperative to consult a doctor who can conduct an examination and make the correct diagnosis. Initially, an examination is carried out by a neurologist, who determines the level of all reflexes of the body, which will distinguish infectious processes from other neurological diseases. Then the doctor prescribes a laboratory and instrumental examination. Most informative method the study is considered a tomogram, as well as an encephalogram. Laboratory diagnostics means the delivery of urine and blood tests.

An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is also carried out - cerebrospinal fluid, in which an increased protein content can be detected. Each of the diagnostic procedures performed allows you to visualize the state of the brain and spinal cord, determine the localization of the ongoing infectious process, the degree of infection and the involvement of surrounding tissues. It is important to diagnose the immune system in order to correctly assess the possibility of resisting the disease. Based on the results of the examination, it is possible to determine the causative agent of the infection, the degree of damage to the nervous system and the brain, and also to choose the methods of treatment.

Treatment of neuroinfection

Treatment of neuroinfection is carried out strictly in a hospital setting and lasts for at least one week. The methods of conducting therapy largely depend on what kind of infection provoked the onset of the pathology, the place of localization, as well as the type of infection itself.

The main tasks of drug therapy are such as:

• normalization of the nervous system;
• restoration of the body's immune system;
• elimination of pathways for the spread of infection;
• elimination of the causative agent of the infection.

First of all, drugs of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed. The type of antibiotic and its dosage are prescribed exclusively by the doctor. In the main medication is administered to the patient intravenously or directly into the spinal cord, especially in cases of spinal cord inflammation.
Additionally, the patient is prescribed a course of vitamin therapy, immune-supporting drugs, as well as a complex of hormonal agents. In addition, if a complication occurs, in particular, such as cerebral edema, the patient is prescribed drugs that eliminate the existing complications.

In the first few days, fever medications, anticonvulsants and antivirals are administered. Fluid intake should be minimized. To reduce the likelihood of cerebral edema, the patient is shown the appointment of diuretics. After an infectious disease of the nervous system, residual effects can be treated at home, provided that the patient feels normal.

Potential consequences and prevention

The consequences of neuroinfection may be different, depending on the time of initiation of therapy, as well as the type of pathology. In particular, the following consequences can be distinguished:

• frequent headaches;
• sensitivity of some organs to weather changes;
• impairment of hearing, sight and smell;
• memory problems

In the most severe cases, a person can become disabled. The most dangerous and severe complications and consequences transferred during the prenatal period are considered. Since this leads to the formation of abnormal development and defects internal organs, as well as serious disorders of the nervous system.

It is very important to carry out preventive measures that will help prevent the occurrence of neuroinfection. To do this, you need to carry out timely treatment of diseases of the ENT organs and dental problems, avoid contact with sick people, put on a hat outside in the cold season, and strengthen the immune system.

Infectious processes affecting the nervous system pose a threat to human life, therefore it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner if there are symptoms of the disease, as well as to carry out prevention.