Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2026

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model
07:26

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model

Published on: July 1, 2018

Rheumatoid meningitis. A case report and review of the literature

R G Spurlock, A V Richman

    Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
    |March 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Rheumatoid meningitis can occur without symptoms in patients with inactive rheumatoid disease. This focal inflammation of the brain

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Rheumatology
    • Pathology

    Background:

    • Rheumatoid disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting joints.
    • Meningeal involvement in rheumatoid disease is rare but can occur.
    • Previous literature has not emphasized asymptomatic presentations of rheumatoid meningitis.

    Observation:

    • An 89-year-old male patient presented with focal rheumatoid inflammation of the dura and leptomeninges.
    • The patient was neurologically asymptomatic.
    • The patient had clinically inactive rheumatoid disease at the time of diagnosis.

    Findings:

    • Rheumatoid meningitis can be virtually asymptomatic, even with quiescent rheumatoid joint disease.
    • The presence of vasculitis in meningeal or cerebral vessels correlates with symptomatic presentation.
    • Intracranial rheumatoid lesions were found concurrently with rheumatoid lesions in other organs, notably the heart and lungs.

    Implications:

    • Highlights the importance of considering rheumatoid meningitis in patients with rheumatoid disease, even in the absence of neurological symptoms.
    • Suggests that routine screening for intracranial involvement may be warranted in select rheumatoid disease patients.
    • Underscores the systemic nature of rheumatoid disease, affecting multiple organs including the central nervous system.

    More Related Videos

    Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery10:03

    Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

    Published on: November 5, 2019

    Integrated Protocol for Assessing Meningeal Lymphatics: Cisterna Magna Injection, Lymph Node Imaging, Meningeal Dissection, and Whole-Mount Staining07:59

    Integrated Protocol for Assessing Meningeal Lymphatics: Cisterna Magna Injection, Lymph Node Imaging, Meningeal Dissection, and Whole-Mount Staining

    Published on: May 29, 2026

    Related Concept Videos

    Bacterial Meningitis01:24

    Bacterial Meningitis

    Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
    Viral Meningitis01:18

    Viral Meningitis

    Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
    Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

    Cryptococcal Meningitis

    Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

    Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

    Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
    Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

    Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

    Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
    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...