Biology 215 Introductory Microbiology Chapter 22 Microbial Diseases of the Nervous system I. Structure and function of the nervous system A. Structure Fig 22.1 . B. Brain and meninges Fig 22.2 . Dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater 2. Blood brain barrier - special capillaries permit only some substances to pass from blood to brain. This means there are low levels of complement and Ab.
Infections here are hard to treat.
Most common way microbes get in is through blood and lymph, although trauma, including surgical trauma, is also a possibility. Bacterial diseases A. Bacterial meningitis 1. It has a capsule and is typed according to the kind of carbohydrate in capsule. HiB is particularly virulent. Big problem in day care centers.