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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens
10:08

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens

Published on: April 17, 2026

Epidemiology of central nervous system mycoses

Arunaloke Chakrabarti1

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh - 160 012, India. arunaloke@hotmail.com

Neurology India
|October 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are increasingly common, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Various fungi can cause meningitis or brain lesions, often spreading through the bloodstream or direct contact.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) were historically rare but have increased significantly since the 1970s.
  • Widespread use of immunosuppressive therapies (corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs) and antibiotics contributes to this rise.
  • Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., those with malignancy, organ transplant recipients, AIDS) are at higher risk, but cases in immunocompetent hosts are also reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology and common causative agents of fungal CNS infections.
  • To highlight the diverse clinical presentations, including meningitis and brain mass lesions.
  • To discuss the routes of CNS invasion by fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on fungal CNS infections.
  • Categorization of common fungal pathogens and their associated pathologies.
  • Analysis of routes of fungal dissemination to the CNS.

Main Results:

  • Common fungal causes of meningitis include Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, and Histoplasma capsulatum.
  • Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., Zygomycetes, and melanized fungi can cause brain mass lesions.
  • True neurotropic fungi like C. neoformans and Cladophialophora bantiana are recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal CNS infections are a growing concern, necessitating awareness in clinical practice.
  • Pathogen identification and understanding routes of infection are crucial for effective management.
  • Both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals can be affected by a range of fungal pathogens.

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