This book is the first in a series of handbooks of infectious diseases, conceived by the late Edward Kass, PhD, MD, as references about the major clinical syndromes of infectious diseases. Although central nervous system infections are not common, they represent a clinical syndrome with which all clinicians must be conversant. Rapid appraisal of the patient, accurate diagnosis, and prompt institution of treatment are all recognized clinical imperatives.
The usual textbook of medicine provides a skeletal description of central nervous system infections, which often is sufficient to direct the initial evaluation and treatment of the acutely ill patient. However, there