Meningitis

Meningitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranous layers lining the brain and spinal cord, as well as the intervening subarachnoid space containing cerebrospinal fluid The condition is most commonly triggered by infectious pathogens—principally viruses and bacteria, though fungi and parasites can also cause it—as well as noninfectious etiologies like malignancy, trauma, or autoimmune reactions Defining pathophysiologic and clinical features include pathoge...

Meningitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranous layers lining the brain and spinal cord, as well as the intervening subarachnoid space containing cerebrospinal fluid The condition is most commonly triggered by infectious pathogens—principally viruses and bacteria, though fungi and parasites can also cause it—as well as noninfectious etiologies like malignancy, trauma, or autoimmune reactions Defining pathophysiologic and clinical features include pathoge...

It can affect individuals across all age groups, with neonates, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations bearing elevated vulnerability to severe disease

It can affect individuals across all age groups, with neonates, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations bearing elevated vulnerability to severe disease Defining pathophysiologic and clinical features include pathogen invasion through the blood-brain barrier, intense local inflammation with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and the classic triad of fever, severe headache, and nuchal rigidity, frequently accompanied by photophobia, altered mental status, and potentially life...

The condition is most commonly triggered by infectious pathogens—principally viruses and bacteria, though fungi and parasites can also cause it—as well as noninfectious etiologies like malignancy, trauma, or autoimmune reactions

Defining pathophysiologic and clinical features include pathogen invasion through the blood-brain barrier, intense local inflammation with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and the classic triad of fever, severe headache, and nuchal rigidity, frequently accompanied by photophobia, altered mental status, and potentially life-threatening intracranial hypertension