Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025
Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mice
Published on: March 25, 2022
Infections of the Peripheral Nervous System
Purpose Of Review:
This article describes infections that affect the peripheral nervous system, including their clinical features, differential diagnoses, and treatments.
Recent Findings:
Rates of pyomyositis have increased recently in the United States, possibly because of an increase in risk factors such as IV drug use, obesity, and diabetes. Other peripheral nervous system infections, such as diphtheria, have become more common in older patients secondary to a lack of revaccination or waning immunity. Although recommended treatment regimens for most infections remain unchanged over recent years, debate over the ideal dosing and route of administration continues for some infections such as tetanus and leprosy (Hansen disease).
Summary:
Infections of the peripheral nervous system are varied in terms of the type of infection, localization, and potential treatment. Nerve conduction studies and EMG can help determine localization, which is key to determining an initial differential diagnosis. It is important to recognize infections quickly to minimize diagnostic delays that could lead to patient morbidity and mortality.
Insights
Peripheral nervous system infections vary widely. Prompt diagnosis using nerve conduction studies and EMG is crucial for effective treatment and preventing severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Peripheral nervous system infections present diverse clinical manifestations.
- Recent trends show increased pyomyositis in the US, linked to risk factors like IV drug use, obesity, and diabetes.
- Diphtheria and other infections are re-emerging in older populations due to waning immunity or lack of revaccination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review infections affecting the peripheral nervous system.
- To detail clinical features, differential diagnoses, and treatment strategies.
- To highlight the importance of timely diagnosis for patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on peripheral nervous system infections.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic approaches.
- Evaluation of established and debated treatment regimens.
Main Results:
- Pyomyositis rates are rising in the US, associated with increased risk factors.
- Certain infections like diphtheria are becoming more prevalent in older adults.
- Treatment guidelines for most infections are stable, but dosing and administration for tetanus and leprosy remain under discussion.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral nervous system infections exhibit significant variability in type, location, and treatment.
- Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) aid in localization and differential diagnosis.
- Rapid recognition and diagnosis are essential to minimize morbidity and mortality.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...
01:28Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
01:13Organization of the Nervous System
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:18Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
01:25What is a Nervous System?