title: Pyogenic bacterial infections of the CNS.
abstract: The etiology of pyogenic infections of the brain and meninges varies principally by age, predisposing causes or conditions, and anatomic site of the infection. An appreciation of these factors, plus the prudent use of noninvasive anatomic diagnostic techniques (such as CT) and examination of the CSF, will provide a basis for the empiric use of appropriate antibiotics. The beta-lactam antibiotics remain the preferred drugs whenever possible because of their broad spectrum on antimicrobial activity, efficacy in CNS infections, low cost, and low toxicity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003154:Community Medicine; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000209:etiology; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents