[Pathogenesis of central nervous system infections and the cerebrospinal fluid. Critical analysis of the diagnostic contribution]

Considering data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition in infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), an evaluation of the pathogeny of CNS infections is made. Basic factors considered in the evaluation are those related to the blood-brain barrier and to immune phenomena. The analysis supports the distribution of infectious diseases of the CNS according to different models: inside model, outside model, and intermediate model. The inside model occurs in three types of presentation: acute, chronic, and repetitive. Impairment of the immune system may induce changes in the presentation of the models. CNS infections usually run nonparametric paths in this circumstance, and conditions related to AIDS are discussed. Diagnostic contribution of pathogenic aspects evaluated are analyzed.