Leukocyte-facilitated entry of intracellular pathogens into the central nervous system

Microbes use numerous strategies to invade the central nervous system. Leuk ocyte-facilitated entry is one such mechanism whereby intracellular pathoge ns establish infection by taking advantage of leukocyte trafficking to the central nervous system. Key components of this process include peripheral i nfection and activation of leukocytes, activation of cerebral endothelial c ells with or without concomitant infection, and trafficking of infected leu kocytes to and through the blood-brain or blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier . (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.