Acute ischemic stroke and infections.
We present an overview of multiple infections in relation to acute ischemic stroke and the therapeutic options available. Conditions that are a direct cause of stroke (infectious endocarditis, meningoencephalitides, and human immunodeficiency virus infection), the pathophysiologic mechanism responsible for stroke, and treatment dilemmas are presented. Independently or in conjunction with conventional risk factors, chronic and acute infections can trigger an acute ischemic stroke through an accelerated process of atherosclerosis and immunohematologic alterations. Acute ischemic stroke has a negative impact on the antibacterial immune response, leading to stroke-induced immunodepression and infections, the most common poststroke medical complications. Poststroke infections are independent predictors of poor outcome. Antibiotic trials for poststroke infection prevention are reviewed. Although antibiotic prophylaxis is not the standard of care in acute stroke, current guidelines support prompt treatment of stroke-related infections.
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York. Electronic address: ccionita@buffalo.edu.
Catalina C
CC
Ionita
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York.
Adnan H
AH
Siddiqui
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Radiology and Toshiba Stroke Research Center, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York.
Elad I
EI
Levy
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Radiology and Toshiba Stroke Research Center, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York.
L Nelson
LN
Hopkins
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York.
Kenneth V
KV
Snyder
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; Department of Neurosurgery, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York.
Kevin J
KJ
Gibbons
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications*; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000150:complications; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D020293:Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000150:complications