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Cited by 55Infectious Diseases and TuberculosisInfectious Encephalopathies and EncephalitisBacterial Infections and Vaccines

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Central Nervous System Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

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Pruitt, Amy A.·2021·Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
DOI 10.1007/s11910-021-01119-wPMC PMC8150146
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Abstract

Purpose of review This article reviews current epidemiologic trends, clinical presentations, and diagnostic strategies for central nervous system (CNS) infections in human immunodeficiency virus-negative (HIV) patients immunocompromised by their underlying disease or by receipt of immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapies. Three patient groups are considered: (1) cancer patients; (2) hematopoietic or solid organ transplantation recipients; and (3) patients with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions requiring therapies that alter the host immune response. Recent findings Clinical presentations, associated neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities differ between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Infections can trigger the emergence of neurotropic antibodies or inflammatory conditions due to treatment with cancer immunotherapies. Unbiased metagenomic assays to identify obscure pathogens help clinicians navigate the increasing range of conditions affecting the growing population of patients with altered immunity. Awareness of clinical presentations and disease and drug-specific risks is important for early diagnosis and intervention in these often life-threatening infections and their noninfectious mimes.

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Metadata

Authors
Pruitt, A. A.
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (US)
Corresponding author
Pruitt, Amy A.
ORCID
Pruitt, Amy A.
Venue
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-05-26
Volume
21
Issue
7
Pages
37-37
ISSN
  • 1528-4042 (ISSN-L)
  • 1534-6293
DOI
10.1007/s11910-021-01119-w
PMC
PMC8150146
OpenAlex
W3165182816
Cited by
55
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infectious Encephalopathies and Encephalitis
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
Keywords
central nervous system infection, immunocompromised patients, HIV-negative patients, cancer patients, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, solid organ transplantation, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, immunosuppressive therapy, immunomodulatory therapy, cancer immunotherapy, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, neuroimaging, diagnostic approach, clinical features, opportunistic infections
MeSH terms
Central Nervous System Infections, Humans, Immunocompromised Host

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Pruitt, A. A. (2021). Central Nervous System Infections in Immunocompromised Patients. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-021-01119-w