Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review

Background Chronic meningitis (CM) is characterized by neurological symptoms associated with the evidence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis lasting > 4 weeks. Studies on the management of CM in Brazil are scarce. Objective To critically review the literature on CM and propose a ration...

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Main Authors: Guilherme Diogo Silva, Bruno Fukelmann Guedes, Ióri Rodrigues Junqueira, Hélio Rodrigues Gomes, José Ernesto Vidal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações 2022-11-01
Series:Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
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Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0042-1758645
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author Guilherme Diogo Silva
Bruno Fukelmann Guedes
Ióri Rodrigues Junqueira
Hélio Rodrigues Gomes
José Ernesto Vidal
author_facet Guilherme Diogo Silva
Bruno Fukelmann Guedes
Ióri Rodrigues Junqueira
Hélio Rodrigues Gomes
José Ernesto Vidal
author_sort Guilherme Diogo Silva
collection DOAJ
description Background Chronic meningitis (CM) is characterized by neurological symptoms associated with the evidence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis lasting > 4 weeks. Studies on the management of CM in Brazil are scarce. Objective To critically review the literature on CM and propose a rational approach in the Brazilian scenario. Methods Narrative literature review discussing the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, basic and advanced diagnostic testing, and empirical and targeted therapy for the most relevant causes of CM. The present review was contextualized with the local experience of the authors. In addition, we propose an algorithm for the management of CM in Brazil. Results In Brazil, tuberculosis and cryptococcosis are endemic and should always be considered in CM patients. In addition to these diseases, neurosyphilis and other endemic conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis, including neurocysticercosis, Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome, and endemic mycosis. After infectious etiologies, meningeal carcinomatosis and autoimmune diseases should be considered. Unbiased and targeted methods should be used based on availability and clinical and epidemiological data. Conclusion We propose a rational approach to CM in Brazil, considering the epidemiological scenario, systematizing the etiological investigation, and evaluating the timely use of empirical therapies.
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spelling doaj-art-381f63871b9d4b5aac0e5d1f2bc90f822025-08-20T03:20:30ZengThieme Revinter PublicaçõesArquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria0004-282X1678-42272022-11-0180111167117710.1055/s-0042-1758645Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative reviewGuilherme Diogo Silva0Bruno Fukelmann Guedes1Ióri Rodrigues Junqueira2Hélio Rodrigues Gomes3José Ernesto Vidal4Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas, São Paulo SP, Brazil.Background Chronic meningitis (CM) is characterized by neurological symptoms associated with the evidence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis lasting > 4 weeks. Studies on the management of CM in Brazil are scarce. Objective To critically review the literature on CM and propose a rational approach in the Brazilian scenario. Methods Narrative literature review discussing the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, basic and advanced diagnostic testing, and empirical and targeted therapy for the most relevant causes of CM. The present review was contextualized with the local experience of the authors. In addition, we propose an algorithm for the management of CM in Brazil. Results In Brazil, tuberculosis and cryptococcosis are endemic and should always be considered in CM patients. In addition to these diseases, neurosyphilis and other endemic conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis, including neurocysticercosis, Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome, and endemic mycosis. After infectious etiologies, meningeal carcinomatosis and autoimmune diseases should be considered. Unbiased and targeted methods should be used based on availability and clinical and epidemiological data. Conclusion We propose a rational approach to CM in Brazil, considering the epidemiological scenario, systematizing the etiological investigation, and evaluating the timely use of empirical therapies.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0042-1758645meningitisdiagnosistuberculosis, meningealmeningitis, cryptococcalbrazil
spellingShingle Guilherme Diogo Silva
Bruno Fukelmann Guedes
Ióri Rodrigues Junqueira
Hélio Rodrigues Gomes
José Ernesto Vidal
Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
meningitis
diagnosis
tuberculosis, meningeal
meningitis, cryptococcal
brazil
title Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
title_full Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
title_fullStr Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
title_short Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in Brazil: a narrative review
title_sort diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chronic meningitis in brazil a narrative review
topic meningitis
diagnosis
tuberculosis, meningeal
meningitis, cryptococcal
brazil
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0042-1758645
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