title: [Pathology of Opportunistic Infection of the Central Nervous System].
abstract: Opportunistic pathogens affecting the central nervous system include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses, and infection with these microorganisms exhibits varied histopathological findings. In opportunistic infections, the inflammatory and reparative mechanisms of the affected tissues are generally weak, reflecting a decrease of the protective immunological response of the host. In recent years, the so-called "immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome," which is caused by abrupt restoration of the immunological activity due to therapy, has emerged as a new clinicopathological problem, especially in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. In this comprehensive review, detailed classical histopathological descriptions on the various aspects of opportunistic infection affecting the central nervous system are provided, with the intention to provide a basis for further molecular pathological studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shintaku
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*