Infectious causes of stroke

Jennifer E Fugate1, Jennifer L Lyons2, Kiran T Thakur3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Insights

Infectious pathogens are linked to stroke, but more research is needed to confirm causation and guide treatment. Understanding infectious stroke risk requires better data, especially in high-prevalence areas.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infectious pathogens are anecdotally linked to stroke, with some pathogens showing probable causal associations.
  • Dedicated prospective studies on infection-related stroke are limited.
  • Diagnostic imaging for stroke confirmation is not universally applied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on infectious causes of stroke.
  • To highlight the need for stronger evidence in diagnosis, treatment, and secondary prevention of infectious stroke.
  • To address data scarcity in regions where infections are most common.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on infectious pathogens and stroke.
  • Analysis of diagnostic practices, including head imaging.
  • Examination of data availability concerning infectious stroke risk globally.

Main Results:

  • Robust associations exist between certain pathogens and stroke, suggesting probable causation.
  • Significant gaps in prospective research and universal diagnostic imaging hinder definitive conclusions.
  • Limited data exists for infectious stroke risk in diverse global populations.

Conclusions:

  • Stronger evidence is crucial for managing infectious stroke.
  • Further research is needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and secondary prevention strategies.
  • Addressing data gaps is essential for understanding population-specific risks of infectious stroke.

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
38
Stroke: Introduction and Types01:29

Stroke: Introduction and Types

A stroke is an acute neurological event caused by the sudden disruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to rapid loss of neuronal function. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief interruptions can cause irreversible injury within minutes. Strokes are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.Ischemic StrokeIschemic strokes are most common and occur due to arterial occlusion, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to energy failure, ionic...
48
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
51
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
54
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...
11
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
20