Bacterial meningitis: insights into pathogenesis and evaluation of new treatment options: a perspective from experimental studies. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liechti, Fabian D; Grandgirard, Denis; Leib, Stephen L
• Is Part Of: Future microbiology. Volume 10:Number 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1195
• Page End: 1213
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: animal model -- bacterial meningitis -- brain injury -- dentate gyrus -- neurogenesis -- neuroinfection -- neuroinflammation -- Streptococcus pneumoniae; Microbiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb.15.43
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0913

Abstract

ABSTRACT : Bacterial meningitis is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Bacterial components induce an overshooting inflammatory reaction, eventually leading to brain damage. Pathological correlates of neurofunctional deficits include cortical necrosis, damage of the inner ear and hippocampal apoptosis. The hippocampal dentate gyrus is important for memory acquisition and harbors a neuronal stem cell niche, thus being potentially well equipped for regeneration. Adjuvant therapies aimed at decreasing the inflammatory reaction, for example, dexamethasone, and those protecting the brain from injury have been evaluated in animal models of the disease. They include nonbacteriolytic antibiotics (e.g., daptomycin), metalloproteinase inhibitors and modulators of the immunological response, for example, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Increasing research interest has recently been focused on interventions aimed at supporting regenerative processes.