Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos
10:38

Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos

Published on: September 9, 2015

Brain abscess in a recent immigrant

Philip N Britton1, Raymond Chaseling

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. philipb@chw.edu.au

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|December 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A child with focal seizures was diagnosed with a pyogenic brain abscess and neurocysticercosis after imaging revealed a cerebral lesion. This case highlights key diagnostic challenges for these serious brain infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Focal seizures can indicate serious underlying neurological conditions.
  • Brain abscesses and neurocysticercosis are significant causes of focal neurological deficits.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy recently immigrated from India presented with focal seizures.
  • Cranial MRI revealed a ring-enhancing lesion in the cerebral cortex.
  • Resected lesion diagnosed as pyogenic brain abscess; serology positive for Taenia solium.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with both a pyogenic brain abscess and neurocysticercosis.
  • Positive serology for Taenia solium confirmed neurocysticercosis as a co-existing condition.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections like neurocysticercosis in patients with brain abscesses, especially those with relevant travel history.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective management of these potentially life-threatening conditions.
  • Highlights diagnostic challenges and the need for integrated approaches in neuroinfectious disease management.

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,...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
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...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...