Bacterial and fungal brain infections in AIDS

Many bacterial and fungal pathogens can infect the central nervous system ( CNS) in patients also infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mos t of these organisms cause meningitis, and this is sometimes accompanied by focal parenchymal infection, More virulent pathogens, such as Mycobacteriu m tuberculosis hominis, can cause disease in individuals with mild degrees of HIV-associated immunosuppression. Less virulent pathogens, such as Crypt ococcus neoformans, tend to affect individuals with more advanced immunosup pression, This review focuses on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, an d treatment of the more common bacterial and fungal CNS infections.