Difference between revisions of "CNS Inflammation - Pathology"

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[[Central Nervous System Infectious Inflammation]]
 
[[Central Nervous System Infectious Inflammation]]
  
==Routes of Entry==
 
  
* CNS inflammation is usually the result of infection.
 
** This may be caused by:
 
*** Bacteria
 
*** Fungi
 
*** Protozoa
 
*** Viruses
 
* Organisms must first enter the CNS in order to establish infection.
 
** There are several routes of entry that allow this:
 
**# '''Haematogenous entry'''
 
**#* This is the most common route.
 
**# '''Entry via the peripheral nerves'''
 
**#* Organisms track within the axoplasm of axons.
 
**#* For example, ''Listeria monocytogenes''.
 
**# '''Penetrating trauma'''
 
**#* For example, dehorning wounds, skull fracture or tail docking.
 
**# '''Direct spread of infection'''
 
**#* From the nasal cavity, middle ear or paranasal sinuses.
 
 
==Localisation of Infectious Organisms==
 
 
* After entry, organisms may establish in one or more of four main areas:
 
*# '''Epidural space'''
 
*#* Infection tends to manifest as abscess formation.
 
*# '''Subdural space'''
 
*#* Manifests as abscess formation.
 
*#* Fairly uncommon.
 
*# '''Leptomeninges'''
 
*#* Causes leptomeningitis, which may be:
 
*#*# Suppurative
 
*#*#* The most common form.
 
*#*#* Neutrophils are the predominant cell type.
 
*#*#* Caused by bacteria
 
*#*#** E.g. ''E. coli'' and ''Streptococcus''
 
*#*#* There are often no gross lesions, but the brain may appear swollen and the meninges opaque.
 
*#*#* Usually results in death.
 
*#*# Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis
 
*#*#* The classic example of this is porcine salt poisoning, when water has been restricted and the suddenly replenished.
 
*#*#* Perivascular eosinophilic cuffing is seen in the cerebrum and meninges.
 
*#*# Lymphocytic
 
*#*#* Usually of viral origin.
 
*#*# Granulomatous
 
*#*#* Caused by fungal diseases and Mycobacteriosis.
 
*# '''CNS parenchyma'''
 
 
==Bacterial Infections==
 
[[Image:pneumococcalmeningitis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Pneumococcal meningitis. Image courtesy of BioMed Archive]]
 
* Bacterial infections typically result in abscesses.
 
** These may be single or multiple depending on the route of entry, and vary in size.
 
** They contain a central, liquefied cavity.
 
* There are differences between cerebral abscesses and those occuring elsewhere.
 
**  Encapsulation is slow.
 
*** This is due to a lack of fibroblasts.
 
*** There is therefore less collagen in the capsule.
 
** Astrocytic glial fibers are not as strong as collagen
 
* Other organisms may cause similar infections:
 
** Rickettsial organisms
 
*** E.g. ''Ehrlichia''
 
** Spirochates
 
*** E.g. Leptospirosis
 
 
==Viral Infections==
 
 
* Viral infections tend to reach the CNS by haematogenous spread and via peripheral nerves.
 
* There are three hallmark lesions of CNS viral infections:
 
*# Neuronal necrosis
 
*# Gliosis
 
*# Vascular changes
 
* Several types of virus may cause inflammation in the CNS. [[Image:negribodies.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Negri bodies, as seen in rabies. Image courtesy of BioMed Archive]]
 
** '''Neurotropic''', e.g.
 
*** Rabies (rhabdovirus)
 
*** Aujesky’s disease (herpesvirus)
 
*** Visna (ovine lentivirus)
 
** '''Endotheliotropic''', e.g.
 
*** Infectious canine hepatitis (canine adenovirus)
 
*** Classical swine fever (pestivirus)
 
*** Equine herpesvirus type 1 (herpes)
 
** '''Pantropic'''
 
*** Infectious canine distemper (morbillivirus)
 
*** Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpesvirus type 1)
 
* Other examples of viruses affecting the CNS:
 
** Distemper
 
** Parvovirus
 
** Parainfluenza
 
** Herpes
 
** FIP
 
** FIV
 
** FeLV
 
** Pseudorabies
 
** Rabies
 
 
==[[Prion Disease]]==
 
 
 
[[Category:Central Nervous System - Inflammatory Pathology]]
 
  
  

Revision as of 12:52, 8 March 2011

Central Nervous System Inflammation Overview


Central Nervous System Infectious Inflammation



Category:CNS Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases

Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis

(GME)
  • An idiopathic CNS conditon
  • May occur as:
    • A disseminated disease
    • A focal mass lesion
    • A primary occular disease
  • Brainstem signs are common, although the forebrain is primarily affected.
  • May be incorrectly diagnosed as lymphoma.
  • Changes are apparent in the CSF.
    • There is usually a mononucloear pleocytosis.
    • Sometimes only protein is elveated.
  • Diffuse inflammatory changes or a mass lesion will be seen by advanced imaging.
    • However, biopsy is required for a definative diagnosis.
  • Life span is between 6 months and 1 year from diagnosis.

Treatment

  • Immunosuppression:
    • Corticosteroids
    • Azathioprine
    • Cycophosphamide
  • Surgery
    • This is only appropriate if there is a focal mass.
  • Radiation therapy.

Necrotising Meningoencephalitis

Category:CNS Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases


Pug Encephalitis

  • A CNS idiopathic condition
  • Affects pugs.
    • Similar conditions are seen in yorkshire and maltese terriers.
  • Officially known as necrotising meningoencephalitis of small dogs.
  • Characterised by histological forebrain inflammation and necrosis.
  • The disease is uniformly fatal.
    • Corticosterid treatment has no effect.


[:Category:CNS Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases]]