Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model
Published on: July 1, 2018
Stroke, infections, and New Mechanisms: a Narrative Review
Jacques Reis1,2, Şerefnur Öztürk3, Alain Buguet4
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hautepierre, Strasbourg, 67200, France. jacques.reis@wanadoo.fr.
Purpose Of Review:
Infections as a risk factor for stroke remain an underrecognized issue within the medical community although this link was identified for more than 60 years. Preceding infections acting as triggers or even causal factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were assessed notably for tropical infections.
Recent Findings:
Since the COVID 19 pandemic, the interest for all kind of infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasitosis) is becoming an emerging concern worldwide. Surprisingly, this risk is addressed only in classification of causes concerning young adults and children. In addition, the seasonality of meteorological conditions (temperature, humidity, rain patterns) probably obscured the underlying causes such as epidemic infections and air pollution peaks (which can act in synergy, notably for respiratory infections). Greater recognition of infection-related stroke risk is essential, especially given the potential for increased incidence driven by global warming, the availability of biomarkers for risk assessment, and the opportunities improving preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Infections are an underrecognized cause of stroke, impacting both ischemic and hemorrhagic types. Recognizing this link is crucial for developing better prevention and treatment strategies, especially with changing global conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The link between infections and stroke has been known for over 60 years but remains underrecognized.
- Recent global events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased awareness of infectious agents as potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess preceding infections as triggers or causal factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
- To highlight the underappreciated role of infections, including tropical infections, in stroke etiology.
- To emphasize the need for greater recognition of infection-related stroke risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on infections as stroke risk factors.
- Analysis of the impact of various infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasitosis).
- Consideration of confounding factors like meteorological conditions and air pollution.
Main Results:
- Infections are a significant, yet often overlooked, risk factor for stroke.
- The risk posed by infectious agents is primarily recognized in pediatric and young adult populations.
- Meteorological factors may obscure the direct link between infections and stroke incidence.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced recognition of infection-related stroke risk is essential for public health.
- Factors like global warming may increase stroke incidence due to infections.
- Biomarkers and improved preventive/therapeutic strategies are needed to address this growing concern.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Endocarditis III: Medical Management

