Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Acute Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is a serious medical disorder that requires a timely diagnosis and immediate treatment as soon as it is suspected. Meningitis is typically caused by two strains of bacteria that are extremely dangerous to humans: streptococcus pneumoniae and neisseria meningitidis. Antibiotic resistance is quickly becoming a problem that will need to be addressed. Researchers have developed a more comprehensive understanding of the particular mechanisms that contribute to brain damage, following problems, and cognitive deficits as a result of both clinical and experimental studies. We present a succinct summary of the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of acute bacterial meningitis and detail the most up-to-date ways for its treatment. In addition, we discuss the implications of this understanding for future research. These infections multiply by taking advantage of the unique properties that the immune system possesses in the central nervous system (CNS), which then leads to inflammation. In bacterial meningitis, the recruitment of leukocytes that have been intensely stimulated into the cerebrospinal fluid (also known as CSF) is a crucial component of the disease. Inflammation of the meninges can be brought on by a wide variety of factors, including microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as non-infectious factors such as systemic and neoplastic illnesses. In most cases, the inflammatory process affects not only the meninges that surround the brain but also the parenchyma of the brain (meningoencephalitis), the ventricles (ventriculitis), and spreads throughout the spinal cord. This condition is referred to as meningoencephalitis. Neuronal damage, namely in the areas of the hippocampus, has been identified as a potential cause of long-term cognitive problems in survivors of traumatic brain injuries.