Brain infections, encephalitis and meningitis: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Lucinéia Gainski Danielski, Tanya Richards, Victoria Zhang, Jaqueline S. Generoso, Felipe Dal-Pizzol, Tatiana Barichello, Rodrigo Hasbun

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is the most common pathogen cause of bacterial meningitis in children and older adults. Following nasopharyngeal colonization and subsequent systemic invasion, the traversal of S. pneumoniae across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a pivotal early event in the pathogenesis of meningitis. The normally safeguarding BBB, designed to shield the central nervous system (CNS) from circulating harmful agents, undergoes disruption during S. pneumoniae invasion, influenced by pneumococcal toxins and an amplified host inflammatory milieu characterized by cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species intracranially. The presence of bacteria in the CNS generates neuroinflammation, which is responsible for the acute damage of the infection and possibly also for the neurological sequelae present in a portion of survivors. This chapter explores the role of S. pneumoniae brain infection, including meningitis and encephalitis neuroinflammation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNeurobiology of Infectious Diseases
PublisherElsevier
Pages115-137
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9780443191305
ISBN (Print)9780443191312
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • BBB
  • Brain infections
  • Encephalitis
  • Glial cells
  • Infectious disease
  • Long-term cognitive impairment
  • Meningitis
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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