Condition Lookup
Category:
Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Number of Conditions: 9
Meningitis (Bacterial, Viral, Fungal)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
fever; headache; neck stiffness; nausea; vomiting; sensitivity to light (photophobia); altered mental status; seizures
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the meninges, typically caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lumbar puncture to analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); blood cultures; imaging (CT/MRI) for complications or suspected mass lesions; PCR for viral causes.
Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause. Bacterial meningitis requires prompt antibiotic therapy, while viral meningitis may resolve on its own or require supportive care. Fungal meningitis is treated with antifungals.
Medications:
For bacterial meningitis - Empiric antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and vancomycin , with targeted therapy after pathogen identification. Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) may reduce inflammation. For viral meningitis - Antiviral drugs like acyclovir for herpes simplex virus. For fungal meningitis - Amphotericin B and flucytosine for Cryptococcus species.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Varies globally; bacterial meningitis is more common in low-income regions, while viral meningitis is more frequent in developed countries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close contact with infected individuals, weakened immune system, head injury, neurosurgical procedures, certain geographic areas (e.g., meningitis belt in Sub-Saharan Africa).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening if untreated but has good outcomes with prompt treatment. Viral meningitis usually resolves without long-term effects. Fungal meningitis has a more guarded prognosis, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, hydrocephalus, septic shock, death (especially in untreated bacterial cases).
Encephalitis (e.g., Herpes Simplex Encephalitis)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
fever; headache; altered mental status; seizures; focal neurological deficits; confusion; memory loss; personality changes
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the brain, often caused by viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex virus, arboviruses) or autoimmune mechanisms.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI to detect brain inflammation; lumbar puncture for CSF analysis and PCR for viral DNA (e.g., HSV); EEG to evaluate for seizures; blood tests for autoimmune markers if suspected.
Treatment:
Depends on cause. Antiviral therapy for HSV (e.g., acyclovir), supportive care for arboviruses, and immunosuppressive treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, IVIG) for autoimmune causes.
Medications:
For HSV encephalitis - Acyclovir (antiviral agent). For autoimmune encephalitis - Corticosteroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis, or rituximab (a monoclonal antibody).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Herpes simplex encephalitis occurs in approximately 1 in 250,000 to 500,000 people annually. Prevalence varies for other causes.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunocompromised state, travel to areas with endemic arboviruses, exposure to infected individuals, autoimmune diseases.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early treatment (especially for HSV) significantly improves outcomes. Delayed treatment can lead to permanent neurological damage or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Long-term neurological deficits (e.g., memory impairment, seizures, cognitive dysfunction), coma, death (if untreated).
Neurosyphilis
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
progressive dementia; seizures; vision changes; hearing loss; weakness; abnormal gait; paresthesia; stroke-like symptoms
Root Cause:
Central nervous system infection caused by Treponema pallidum (the bacterium responsible for syphilis), typically in late stages of untreated syphilis.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Lumbar puncture for CSF analysis (increased white blood cells, positive VDRL test); serologic tests for syphilis in blood.
Treatment:
High-dose intravenous penicillin G for 10–14 days.
Medications:
Penicillin G (antibiotic, first-line therapy). Doxycycline may be used for penicillin-allergic patients, though it's less effective.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries due to widespread syphilis screening and treatment; higher prevalence in resource-limited settings and among high-risk populations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Untreated syphilis, immunosuppression (e.g., HIV infection).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early treatment can reverse or halt progression, but irreversible damage may occur in advanced cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Dementia, stroke, blindness, paralysis, death in untreated cases.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
progressive weakness; vision changes; cognitive decline; coordination problems; speech difficulties; seizures
Root Cause:
Demyelinating disease caused by reactivation of JC virus in immunocompromised individuals, leading to progressive brain damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Brain MRI (characteristic lesions), PCR testing for JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid, and sometimes brain biopsy for confirmation.
Treatment:
No specific antiviral therapy; management involves immune reconstitution (e.g., stopping immunosuppressive therapy or initiating antiretroviral therapy for HIV).
Medications:
No direct antiviral medications. Immune reconstitution is achieved through therapies like antiretroviral therapy for HIV or cessation of immunosuppressive drugs.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; typically occurs in patients with severe immunosuppression (e.g., advanced HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients).
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunosuppression due to HIV/AIDS, hematologic malignancies, organ transplantation, or use of monoclonal antibodies (e.g., natalizumab).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor; most patients experience severe disability or death within months of diagnosis. Improved prognosis with immune restoration.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe neurological disability, death.
HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
cognitive impairment; memory loss; difficulty concentrating; mood changes; motor dysfunction; behavioral changes
Root Cause:
Chronic neuroinflammation and direct effects of HIV infection in the brain leading to neuronal damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, neuropsychological testing, exclusion of other causes (e.g., opportunistic infections, substance use); MRI for structural changes.
Treatment:
Optimized antiretroviral therapy (ART) to control HIV replication and prevent further neurocognitive decline.
Medications:
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) that penetrates the CNS effectively, such as dolutegravir , abacavir , or emtricitabine-tenofovir combinations.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 25–50% of people living with HIV, with varying severity.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV/AIDS, poor adherence to ART, comorbidities like substance abuse or depression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mild forms are manageable with ART, but severe forms can lead to significant disability if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progressive cognitive decline, functional impairment, increased risk of dementia.
Neuroborreliosis (Lyme Disease)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
facial palsy; meningitis-like symptoms (headache, neck stiffness); radicular pain; cognitive difficulties; fatigue; muscle weakness
Root Cause:
Infection of the nervous system by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted via tick bites, leading to inflammatory damage in the central or peripheral nervous system.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Serological tests for Lyme disease (ELISA followed by Western blot for confirmation), CSF analysis (elevated protein, lymphocytic pleocytosis), and history of exposure to endemic areas.
Treatment:
Antibiotic therapy, typically oral or intravenous, depending on severity.
Medications:
Oral antibiotics - Doxycycline or amoxicillin for early-stage disease. Intravenous antibiotics - Ceftriaxone for severe or late-stage disease.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in regions where Lyme disease is endemic (e.g., North America, Europe). Neuroborreliosis occurs in 10–15% of untreated cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to wooded or grassy areas with ticks, delayed treatment of early Lyme disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with early treatment; late or untreated cases may result in persistent neurological symptoms.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic neurological symptoms (e.g., fatigue, cognitive difficulties), radiculopathy, chronic pain, rarely permanent nerve damage.
Autoimmune Encephalitis
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
memory loss; behavioral changes; seizures; confusion; psychosis; autonomic dysfunction; movement disorders
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the brain caused by an autoimmune response, often triggered by antibodies targeting neuronal receptors or intracellular proteins.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Antibody testing in blood and CSF (e.g., anti-NMDA, anti-LGI1), MRI (inflammatory changes), EEG (abnormal activity), and clinical evaluation.
Treatment:
Immunosuppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis, or rituximab.
Medications:
First-line - Corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone ), IVIG, plasmapheresis. Second-line - Rituximab (monoclonal antibody), cyclophosphamide (chemotherapy agent with immunosuppressive properties).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, exact prevalence unknown, but cases have been increasing due to improved diagnostic capabilities.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., tumors producing antibodies), viral infections, genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early diagnosis and treatment; delays can lead to significant disability or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Long-term cognitive impairment, epilepsy, autonomic instability, death in severe cases.
Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
psychosis; memory loss; seizures; autonomic dysfunction; movement abnormalities (e.g., orofacial dyskinesias); altered mental status
Root Cause:
Autoimmune attack on NMDA receptors in the brain, often associated with ovarian teratomas or other tumors.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detection of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in CSF or blood, MRI for brain changes, EEG (abnormal delta waves).
Treatment:
Tumor removal (if present), immunotherapy (e.g., corticosteroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis), and supportive care.
Medications:
First-line - Corticosteroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis. Second-line - Rituximab or cyclophosphamide for refractory cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare but increasingly recognized; more common in young women with ovarian teratomas.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Presence of ovarian teratomas, viral infections, genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with prompt treatment; most patients recover fully, though some may experience persistent neurological symptoms.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive deficits, chronic epilepsy, autonomic dysfunction, death if untreated.
Anti-LGI1 Encephalitis
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Symptoms:
memory impairment; seizures (commonly faciobrachial dystonic seizures); confusion; behavioral changes; hyponatremia (low sodium levels)
Root Cause:
Autoimmune encephalitis caused by antibodies targeting the leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1), which is involved in synaptic function.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detection of anti-LGI1 antibodies in blood or CSF, MRI showing medial temporal lobe abnormalities, and clinical presentation (e.g., specific seizure types).
Treatment:
Immunotherapy, including corticosteroids, IVIG, plasmapheresis, and long-term immunosuppressive drugs if needed.
Medications:
First-line - Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone or methylprednisolone ), IVIG, plasmapheresis. Second-line - Rituximab or azathioprine for refractory or recurrent cases. Antiepileptic drugs (e.g., levetiracetam or lacosamide ) for seizure control.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; primarily affects middle-aged to older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
No well-defined risk factors, though associations with autoimmune predispositions or malignancies have been noted.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with early treatment, but delays may lead to cognitive deficits or chronic epilepsy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent memory impairment, chronic epilepsy, hyponatremia-related complications, and rarely death if untreated.