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Brain abscesses caused by anaerobic microorganisms: a systematic review
1Dr. Fernando Cobo, Department of Microbiology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Avda Fuerzas Armadas, 2 18014 Granada, Spain. fernando.cobo.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es.
This review highlights brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria, finding Bacteroides spp. and Gram-positive anaerobic cocci most common. Most cases originated from otogenic sources, with headache as a primary symptom.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria are uncommon but serious infections.
- Understanding their characteristics, causative agents, and outcomes is crucial for effective management.
Approach:
- A systematic review of studies on brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria published between 1998 and 2022 was conducted.
- 28 studies involving 6,167 patients were analyzed, with a focus on monomicrobial anaerobic infections in adults.
Key Points:
- Anaerobic bacteria accounted for 11.5% of brain abscesses, with Bacteroides spp. and Gram-positive anaerobic cocci being the most frequent isolates.
- Otogenic sources (84.6%) were the most common origin, followed by neurosurgery (23%). Headache (95.6%) and fever (69.5%) were predominant symptoms.
- Surgical intervention was performed in 48% of patients, with antibiotic treatment used in 88.8% to 100% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Anaerobic brain abscesses, though infrequent, require specific diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.
- The study underscores the importance of identifying anaerobic pathogens due to their unique clinical presentations and treatment needs.
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