Abstract

Objective: To describe the neuropathological findings in autopsy performed for individuals with CNS infections and compare the data obtained with the information referred in the literature. Methods: We reviewed the protocols of autopsy performed at the Department of Pathology of the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) during 2004–2015 and selected those with CNS infection as a final diagnosis, and then evaluated the pathological findings and demographic variables. Results: Among 3 117 autopsy protocols reviewed, 200 reported CNS infection, with 130 in males (65%) and 70 in females (35%), and with an average age of 26.5 years. A total of 114 cases were caused by opportunistic agents mainly including Cryptococcus neoformans (19%), Toxoplasma gondii and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (16% each). In addition, 63.71% presented HIV co-infection. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there may be significant variations in the causative agents of CNS infection both in the national (in the case of Cryptococcus neoformans infection) and international context (in the case of enterovirus and cytomegalovirus infection). For this reason, similar studies are needed for the characterization of these pathogens regionally, which may contribute to the clinical suspicion of specific infectious agents.

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