The Neuroinfectious diseases profile in a specialist neurology centre in South Africa

Q3 Neuroscience

eNeurologicalSci Pub Date : 2025-08-06 DOI:10.1016/j.ensci.2025.100581

Katryn Oosthuizen , Suzaan Marais

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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess the burden of neuroinfectious diseases and describe the causes and presentation of neurological infections to a tertiary level hospital neurology service in South Africa.

Methods

A retrospective electronic search of medical discharge records was conducted for adult patients admitted to the neurology ward over a two-year period, and patients with neuroinfectious diseases were identified. Diagnostic criteria were applied to classify patients according to the certainty of their neuroinfectious disease diagnosis.

Results

Neuroinfectious diseases accounted for 15 % of the 802 admissions to the neurology ward. The most common infectious aetiologies were tuberculosis (27 %), syphilis (21 %), neurological diseases related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) itself (19 %), and HIV-associated opportunistic infections (10 %). Diagnostic challenges were observed, with only 17 % of cases having a definite diagnosis. The majority of patients with neuroinfectious diseases were young, with a median age of 38 years (IQR: 32–46), and 56 % were HIV-positive. Morbidity was high, with prolonged hospitalisation (>2 weeks) and limited full recovery at discharge in 56 % and 98 % of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

This study provides important insights into the burden and characteristics of neuroinfectious diseases encountered at an inpatient South African neurology service. The findings highlight the need for increased investment in primary care prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and syphilis − before patients require hospital admission or develop neurological pathology.

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南非某神经病学专科中心的神经传染病概况

目的本研究旨在评估神经感染性疾病的负担，描述南非三级医院神经病学服务的神经感染的原因和表现。方法对神经内科住院2年以上的成年患者进行回顾性电子病历检索，筛选出有神经感染性疾病的患者。根据神经感染性疾病诊断的确定性，采用诊断标准对患者进行分类。结果802例神经内科住院患者中，神经感染性疾病占15%。最常见的感染病因是结核病（27%）、梅毒（21%）、与人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）本身相关的神经系统疾病（19%）和与HIV相关的机会性感染（10%）。观察到诊断困难，只有17%的病例有明确的诊断。大多数神经感染性疾病患者为年轻人，中位年龄为38岁（IQR: 32-46）， 56%为hiv阳性。发病率高，分别有56%和98%的患者住院时间较长（2周），出院时完全康复有限。结论：本研究对南非神经内科住院病人所遇到的神经传染病的负担和特征提供了重要的见解。研究结果强调，需要在患者需要住院或出现神经病理学之前，增加对艾滋病毒、结核病和梅毒的初级保健预防和治疗的投资。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

eNeurologicalSci Neuroscience-Neurology

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

62 days

期刊介绍： eNeurologicalSci provides a medium for the prompt publication of original articles in neurology and neuroscience from around the world. eNS places special emphasis on articles that: 1) provide guidance to clinicians around the world (Best Practices, Global Neurology); 2) report cutting-edge science related to neurology (Basic and Translational Sciences); 3) educate readers about relevant and practical clinical outcomes in neurology (Outcomes Research); and 4) summarize or editorialize the current state of the literature (Reviews, Commentaries, and Editorials). eNS accepts most types of manuscripts for consideration including original research papers, short communications, reviews, book reviews, letters to the Editor, opinions and editorials. Topics considered will be from neurology-related fields that are of interest to practicing physicians around the world. Examples include neuromuscular diseases, demyelination, atrophies, dementia, neoplasms, infections, epilepsies, disturbances of consciousness, stroke and cerebral circulation, growth and development, plasticity and intermediary metabolism. The fields covered may include neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, neuroepidemiology, neurogenetics, neuroimmunology, neuroophthalmology, neuropathology, neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurooncology, neurotoxicology, restorative neurology, and tropical neurology.