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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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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
Summary
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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