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[Infections of the spinal cord and adjacent structures]

Bettina Pfausler1, Verena Rass2, Anna Lindner2

  • 1Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich. b.pfausler@i-med.ac.at.

Der Nervenarzt
|February 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Spinal cord infections can stem from various pathogens like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, leading to diverse clinical presentations. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs, imaging, and laboratory tests to identify the specific cause of inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathogen Research

Context:

  • Spinal and paraspinal infections present diverse etiological origins, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents.
  • Pathogens can directly infect neural tissues or cause secondary complications like abscesses and spinal cord compression.
  • Understanding pathogen tropism and clinical-diagnostic correlations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose:

  • To review significant pathogens responsible for spinal and paraspinal infections.
  • To detail the geographical distribution, clinical manifestations, and neuroimaging findings of these infections.
  • To highlight recent epidemiological trends, including outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV).

Summary:

  • Infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites cause spinal cord inflammation through direct infection or secondary complications.
  • Diagnosis involves a comprehensive approach combining clinical presentation, symptom progression, immune status, neuroimaging, and microbiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and serum.
  • The article emphasizes pathogen-specific tropism, clinical-imaging correlations, and epidemiological shifts, with a focus on cVDPV outbreaks.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of spinal and paraspinal infections for clinicians and researchers.
  • Aids in the etiological clarification and diagnosis of acute and subacute spinal inflammatory processes.
  • Informs public health strategies by detailing epidemiological developments and specific pathogen threats like cVDPV.
Keywords:
MyelitisPathogensPoliomyelitisSpondylodiscitisTopography

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