scholarly journals Central Nervous System Mold Infections in Children with Hematological Malignancies: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Marie Luckowitsch ◽  
Henriette Rudolph ◽  
Konrad Bochennek ◽  
Luciana Porto ◽  
Thomas Lehrnbecher

The incidence of invasive mold disease (IMD) has significantly increased over the last decades, and IMD of the central nervous system (CNS) is a particularly severe form of this infection. Solid data on the incidence of CNS IMD in the pediatric setting are lacking, in which Aspergillus spp. is the most prevalent pathogen, followed by mucorales. CNS IMD is difficult to diagnose, and although imaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging have considerably improved, these techniques are still unspecific. As microscopy and culture have a low sensitivity, non-culture-based assays such as the detection of fungal antigens (e.g., galactomannan or beta-D-glucan) or the detection of fungal nucleic acids by molecular assays need to be validated in children with suspected CNS IMD. New and potent antifungal compounds helped to improve outcome of CNS IMD, but not all agents are approved for children and a pediatric dosage has not been established. Therefore, studies have to rapidly evaluate dosage, safety and efficacy of antifungal compounds in the pediatric setting. This review will summarize the current knowledge on diagnostic tools and on the management of CNS IMD with a focus on pediatric patients.

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Gitishree Das ◽  
Han-Seung Shin ◽  
Rosa Tundis ◽  
Sandra Gonçalves ◽  
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco ◽  
...  

Valerianaceae, the sub-family of Caprifoliaceae, contains more than 300 species of annual and perennial herbs, worldwide distributed. Several species are used for their biological properties while some are used as food. Species from the genus Valeriana have been used for their antispasmodic, relaxing, and sedative properties, which have been mainly attributed to the presence of valepotriates, borneol derivatives, and isovalerenic acid. Among this genus, the most common and employed species is Valerianaofficinalis. Although valerian has been traditionally used as a mild sedative, research results are still controversial regarding the role of the different active compounds, the herbal preparations, and the dosage used. The present review is designed to summarize and critically describe the current knowledge on the different plant species belonging to Valerianaceae, their phytochemicals, their uses in the treatment of different diseases with particular emphasis on the effects on the central nervous system. The available information on this sub-family was collected from scientific databases up until year 2020. The following electronic databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, Sci Finder, Web of Science, Science Direct, NCBI, and Google Scholar. The search terms used for this review included Valerianaceae, Valeriana, Centranthus, Fedia, Patrinia, Nardostachys, Plectritis, and Valerianella, phytochemical composition, in vivo studies, Central Nervous System, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anxiety, preclinical and clinical studies.


Author(s):  
Agnès Fleury ◽  
Edda Sciutto

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that occurs when cysticerci are installed in the central nervous system. This paper describes the challenge that continues in the treatment of the most severe form of neurocysticercosis that occurs when the parasite is installed outside the parenchyma. The relevance of neuroinflammation control for patient survival and its implications on the effectiveness of the treatment are discussed.


Physiology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anissa Kempf ◽  
Martin E. Schwab

Nogo-A was initially discovered as a myelin-associated growth inhibitory protein limiting axonal regeneration after central nervous system (CNS) injury. This review summarizes current knowledge on how myelin and neuronal Nogo-A and its receptors exert physiological functions ranging from the regulation of growth suppression to synaptic plasticity in the developing and adult intact CNS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga A. Maximova ◽  
Alexander G. Pletnev

Flaviviruses are major emerging human pathogens on a global scale. Some flaviviruses can infect the central nervous system of the host and therefore are regarded as neurotropic. The most clinically relevant classical neurotropic flaviviruses include Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus. In this review, we focus on these flaviviruses and revisit the concepts of flaviviral neurotropism, neuropathogenicity, neuroinvasion, and resultant neuropathogenesis. We attempt to synthesize the current knowledge about interactions between the central nervous system and flaviviruses from the neuroanatomical and neuropathological perspectives and address some misconceptions and controversies. We hope that revisiting these neuropathological concepts will improve the understanding of flaviviral neuroinfections. This, in turn, may provide further guiding foundations for relevant studies of other emerging or geographically expanding flaviviruses with neuropathogenic potential, such as Zika virus and dengue virus, and pave the way for intelligent therapeutic strategies harnessing potentially beneficial, protective host responses to interfere with disease progression and outcome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3705
Author(s):  
Mauro Giuffrè ◽  
Rita Moretti ◽  
Giuseppina Campisciano ◽  
Alexandre Barcelos Morais da Silveira ◽  
Vincenzo Maria Monda ◽  
...  

Mammalian organisms form intimate interfaces with commensal and pathogenic gut microorganisms. Increasing evidence suggests a close interaction between gut microorganisms and the enteric nervous system (ENS), as the first interface to the central nervous system. Each microorganism can exert a different effect on the ENS, including phenotypical neuronal changes or the induction of chemical transmitters that interact with ENS neurons. Some pathogenic bacteria take advantage of the ENS to create a more suitable environment for their growth or to promote the effects of their toxins. In addition, some commensal bacteria can affect the central nervous system (CNS) by locally interacting with the ENS. From the current knowledge emerges an interesting field that may shape future concepts on the pathogen–host synergic interaction. The aim of this narrative review is to report the current findings regarding the inter-relationships between bacteria, viruses, and parasites and the ENS.


Author(s):  
H.C. Fibiger

SUMMARY:Nuclei of the extrapyramidal system contain among the highest levels of GABA and its synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GA D) in the central nervous system. In recent years the anatomical organization of GABAergic neurons in the extrapyramidal system has been the subject of considerable experimental enquiry. In this note, current knowledge concerning the origin and projections of GABAergic neurons in certain extrapyramidal nuclei is briefly reviewed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Bollaerts ◽  
Jessie Van houcke ◽  
Lien Andries ◽  
Lies De Groef ◽  
Lieve Moons

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly, as repair after lesions or neurodegenerative disease usually fails because of the limited capacity of CNS regeneration. The causes underlying this limited regenerative potential are multifactorial, but one critical aspect is neuroinflammation. Although classically considered as harmful, it is now becoming increasingly clear that inflammation can also promote regeneration, if the appropriate context is provided. Here, we review the current knowledge on how acute inflammation is intertwined with axonal regeneration, an important component of CNS repair. After optic nerve or spinal cord injury, inflammatory stimulation and/or modification greatly improve the regenerative outcome in rodents. Moreover, the hypothesis of a beneficial role of inflammation is further supported by evidence from adult zebrafish, which possess the remarkable capability to repair CNS lesions and even restore functionality. Lastly, we shed light on the impact of aging processes on the regenerative capacity in the CNS of mammals and zebrafish. As aging not only affects the CNS, but also the immune system, the regeneration potential is expected to further decline in aged individuals, an element that should definitely be considered in the search for novel therapeutic strategies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Cadete Martini ◽  
Stefânia Forner ◽  
Allisson Freire Bento ◽  
Giles Alexander Rae

Many diseases of the central nervous system are characterized and sometimes worsened by an intense inflammatory response in the affected tissue. It is now accepted that resolution of inflammation is an active process mediated by a group of mediators that can act in synchrony to switch the phenotype of cells, from a proinflammatory one to another that favors the return to homeostasis. This new genus of proresolving mediators includes resolvins, protectins, maresins, and lipoxins, the first to be discovered. In this short review we provide an overview of current knowledge into the cellular and molecular interactions of lipoxins in diseases of the central nervous system in which they appear to facilitate the resolution of inflammation, thus exerting a neuroprotective action.


2012 ◽  
Vol 136 (8) ◽  
pp. 915-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Camelo-Piragua

Clear cell tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) encompass a variety of tumor subtypes that are challenging to diagnose given their similar morphologic features. Here, I use a case-based approach to review the clinicopathologic and radiologic features to help guide the general pathologist in the diagnosis of clear cell tumors of the CNS. First, the reader is invited to study 6 images of different CNS tumors with clear cell morphology. Then, each case is expanded in light of clinical and radiologic data and includes a histopathologic description of the tumor. A brief discussion follows with up-to-date diagnostic tools. Finally, I propose an immunohistochemical algorithm to navigate through the complex features that characterize clear cell tumors of the CNS. This review aims to provide a comprehensive approach to diagnosing clear cell neoplasms of the CNS based on improved assessment of the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of each entity.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document