title: Central nervous system infections.
abstract: Central nervous system infections have long been recognized as among the most devastating of diseases. This article describes the changing pattern and epidemiology of a variety of common central nervous system infections, including meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscesses, and reviews pathophysiology and the most current approach to clinical diagnosis, treatment, and disposition from the emergency physician perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5303, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Somand
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meurer
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents