Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Quantitation of Rabies Virus in Various Bovine Brain Structures
13:42

Quantitation of Rabies Virus in Various Bovine Brain Structures

Published on: May 22, 2021

Curvularia brain abscess

Nisha Gadgil1, Michael Kupferman, Sheila Smitherman

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|September 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Central nervous system (CNS) Curvularia infection is rare and often fatal. This case highlights successful treatment of a skull base abscess with surgery and antibiotics, achieving the longest disease-free follow-up reported.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Curvularia species are common fungi, but rarely cause central nervous system (CNS) infections.
  • CNS infections by Curvularia are associated with high mortality rates.

Observation:

  • A patient with chronic sinusitis developed a Curvularia abscess at the skull base with extension into the left frontal lobe.
  • The patient presented with neurological symptoms secondary to the abscess.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment was achieved through aggressive surgical resection of the abscess and a course of antibiotic therapy.
  • This case reports the longest disease-free follow-up period for a patient with CNS Curvularia infection in the published literature.

Implications:

  • Early and accurate diagnosis of CNS Curvularia infections is critical for patient outcomes.
  • Aggressive surgical debridement, in conjunction with appropriate antibiotic treatment, is essential for successful management and long-term recovery.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare fungal pathogens in the differential diagnosis of CNS infections, particularly in immunocompromised or chronically ill patients.

More Related Videos

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain05:02

Listeria monocytogenes Infection of the Brain

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Cerebrospinal Fluid01:21

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a colorless liquid that flows around the brain and the spinal cord, playing a vital role in the protection, support, and overall function of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF production, circulation, and absorption are tightly regulated processes essential for the brain and spinal cord to function properly.
CSF Production
CSF is produced mainly in the choroid plexus, a network of capillaries and ependymal cells located within the ventricular system of the brain.