ABSTRACT
The brain, spinal cord and adjacent structures can become infected by many kinds of microorganisms. The four main categories include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. These microorganisms can have acute and chronic effects on brain function and consequently cognitive functioning. Neurotropic infectious diseases have long been within the purview of neuropsychology practice. This chapter provides a discussion on three neurotropic infections: herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Lyme disease. The clinical presentation of HSE includes malaise, fever, headache, and nausea, followed by or in combination with acute or subacute onset of an encephalopathy with symptoms that typically include lethargy, confusion, and delirium. There can be seizures and coma during the course of the disease. The cerebrospinal fluid in HSE is variable, but usually consists of a pleocytosis with both polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. The clinical presentation does not reliably distinguish HSE from other types of viral and bacterial encephalitis.
