Epidemiologic Characteristics of Patients Treated in a Referral Center With the Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Infection in North of Iran, from March 2008 to March 2012: A Retrospective Observational Registry Study

Central nervous system infections are life-threatening in many cases. Infection etiology may be varied based on age, geographic region and comorbidities. This study aimed to identify epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory features of patients with central nervous system infection in this area to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment. In a retrospective study, , data were collected by chart review of computerized medical records of hospitalized patients with CNS infection in Razi hospital, from March 2008 to March 2012 in Qaemshahr city, north of Iran. During this period, of 16532 hospitalized patients with infectious diseases in Razi hospital, 66 were admitted with CNS infection diagnosis (0.4%). The average age was 26.3 ± 20.7 years. Male were more than females (81.2% vs. 18.8%), and 6.3% were younger than one year, and 35.9% aged between 11 - 20 years. Most patients were admitted in fall (32.8%) followed by summer. Eighty six percent of cases had meningitis, and encephalitis and brain abscess was occurred in 10.6% and 3%, respectively. Three cases of cryptococcal meningitis, and one rare case of H1N1flu meningitis and brucella meningoencephalitis were reported. Based on data collected about risk factors and epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of CNS infections, we can help to prompt diagnosis and treatment of these patients.