Viral and Fungal Infections of the Central Nervous System: A Microbiological Perspective

This book covers topics related to viral and fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS), with a multidisciplinary reach, discussing associated immunology, microbiological aspects, pathologies, timely management, and prevention. The book is structured into five broad sections.

The first section provides the reader with valuable insights into the aetiologies and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological diseases, including host responses. It mentions all bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral causes of neuro-infections, along with rarer neuropathogenesis such as prions and mycoplasmas. The chapter also presents detailed epidemiology and prevalence of different CNS infections worldwide. It also reviews various infectious diseases that target the nervous system, such as focal lesions, meningitis, and neurological complications of venous sinus thrombosis. The next two sections delve deep into pathogen-specific diseases of the CNS, namely the viruses and fungi associated with neuro-infections. It mentions detailed excerpts on encephalitic viruses, long-term consequences of neurotropic viruses, mycological neuroinfectious, and even the emerging, less talked of viruses and fungi causing neurological disease. Topics such as principles of vigorous antifungal therapy and surgeries are also discussed in the chapter. The fourth section gives an insight on prospects for efficiently diagnosing and managing viral and fungal CNS infections, to tackle associated morbidities.

Features that are often less documented, yet of considerable interest in current times, such as the role of immunosuppression in neurological infections and newer microbiological diagnostic strategies are covered. The last section uniquely provides clinicians with relatable case scenarios. Real case descriptions are included, such as cases of fungal meningitis and other difficult-to-diagnose infections produced by viruses. This book serves as a guide for neurologists, medical microbiologists, and clinical practitioners who deal with patients suspected of neurological infection.

Hiba Sami is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, JNMC, AMU, Aligarh, India. She is actively involved in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching learning activities. Her field of interest are Virology, COVID-19, Zoonosis, and Hospital Acquired Infections. She has won the PROF ASHA MATHUR BEST POSTER IN VIROLOGY in UP MICROCON 2016. She underwent molecular training in virology at “ILBS, NEW DELHI.” Currently she is the PI of a ICMR-funded project on Brucellosis and Co-PI of ICMR-funded Project On HIV-HBV co-infection. She edited a book titled Beta-lactam Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria: Threats and Challenges published by Nature in 2022. She has several book chapters and around 55 research publications in international and national journals to her credit Dr. Hiba Sami completed her MBBS from JNMC, AMU, and MD in Microbiology from the same institution in years 2010 and 2013, respectively. She holds life membership of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologist (IAMM) and Hospital Infection Society, India.

Safiya Firoze is currently working as a clinical registrar in the Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, India. She received her degree of “Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery” in the year 2016 and the degree of “Doctor of Medicine in Microbiology” in 2021, from JN Medical College and Hospital of Aligarh Muslim University. She has authored/ coauthored many works, including book chapters, case studies, research papers, review articles, and systemic analyses for a number of publications. Her writings and researches have addressed a variety of subjects, including but not limited to: antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes; effects of mask use in the COVID-19 era; advanced diagnostics in medical parasitology; biotechnologies for biofilm prevention; antimicrobial-coated implants for orthopedic implant associated infection prevention. She is renowned among her peers and pupils, for her enthusiastic approach to teaching/learning activities for undergraduate/graduate students. She actively participates in CME activities, intra-departmental seminars, workshops, and has presented at national/international conferences, such as at the 3rd International Conference on Virology Infectious Diseases and COVID-19, UAE, 2021, and the 18th Annual conference of the Association of Medical Microbiologists (UP-UK MICROCON), India, 2023. She was awarded third prize in “Need for COVID-19 Detection” at the Hackathon: Combat COVID-19―2nd World Conference on Advances in COVID-19―Bengaluru Genomics Center, India, and High Altitude Pulmonary and Pathology, Bolivia, 2020. She holds memberships in different professional bodies, including the “Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists,” “Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology,” and the “British Infection Association.”

Parvez A. Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, India. He did his MBBS and MD (Microbiology) from JN Medical College and Hospital of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, in 2008 and 2011, respectively. He has authored five book chapters and 36 scientific papers in various national and international journals. He holds membership in different professional bodies, including the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists (IAMM), and the Hospital Infection Society, India.