Developments and recommendations in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis with a particular focus on Africa

The study highlights the common etiology of bacterial neuroinfective diseases, prognosis, interaction between pathogens and the immune system and the value of neuroimmunological alterations in diagnosis and treatment.

Why do results matter?

Neuroimmunology is a relatively unexplored field that is not yet fully established in the curricula of higher education institutions on the African continent. With the help of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and the International Society for Neuroimmunology (ISNI), the subject of neuroimmunology has recently been added to some universities.

Frontiers in Neuroscience brings together numerous studies from experts from within and outside Africa, which focus on understanding the main causes of disease burden in Africa as well as diseases that are endemic to Africa. The collection of articles on the topic topic could be used in teaching neuroimmunology in African universities, says Federico Iovino.

The study was conducted by an international team of researchers, each of whom specializes in a specific type of bacterial meningitis.

Federico Iovinos is an expert on meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci), the leading causative agent of bacterial meningitis worldwide.

What will be the next step?

We hope that the full set of articles will raise awareness of neurological infections, which are in great need of treatment methods, as getting treatment into the brain is challenging, and neurological damage from infection is permanent.

The World Health Organization defines bacterial meningitis as “devastating.” Even if the infection can be successfully fought off, survivors often suffer permanent neurological disabilities resulting from nerve damage caused by the infection. Neurons that are damaged or dying cannot be repaired or replaced.

“The main purpose of the research that we are doing in my research group is to take advantage of all the knowledge we are gaining about the molecular mechanisms of bacterial interaction with brain cells, and to be able to create new therapeutic and prophylactic methods to protect the brain from bacteria,” says Federico Iovino.

Publishing

Bacterial meningitis in Africa
Barrichello Tatiana, Rocha Catalao, Carlos Henriques, Rohlink Ursula K. , Quip Martin van der, Zaharie Dunn, Solomons Regan S, Van Torn Ronald, Toto van Voorth, Marceline, Haspon Rodrigo, Evino Federico*Namale Vivian Csonko*. Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023; 14; DOI = 10.3389/fneur.2023.822575 * Co-authorship.