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Updated: Jun 21, 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

Central nervous system infections: meningitis and brain abscess

Hitoshi Honda1, David K Warren

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University of School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box, 8051 Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. dwarren@im.wustl.edu

Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|August 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Meningitis and brain abscess cause significant illness and death despite treatment advances. Effective management of these central nervous system infections requires a multidisciplinary intensive care approach.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Meningitis and brain abscess remain serious infections with high morbidity and mortality rates.
  • Advances in antimicrobial and antiviral therapies have not eliminated the threat posed by these central nervous system infections.
  • Effective treatment often necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating intensive care unit (ICU) strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common infectious causes of central nervous system (CNS) infections.
  • To focus on bacterial meningitis and brain abscess etiologies.
  • To outline the management of these conditions within the ICU setting.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on CNS infections.
  • Analysis of common bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens.
  • Discussion of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial meningitis is characterized by meningeal inflammation and specific cerebrospinal fluid changes.
  • Brain abscess is a localized parenchymal infection with diverse causative agents.
  • Intensive care is crucial for managing the complications and severity of these infections.

Conclusions:

  • Despite therapeutic progress, meningitis and brain abscess continue to present significant clinical challenges.
  • A comprehensive, multidisciplinary ICU-based approach is essential for optimizing patient outcomes.
  • Understanding infectious etiologies is key to effective management strategies.

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