Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infectious diseases of the central nervous system: a national multicenter cross-sectional study
10.3760/cma.j.cn113694-20240808-00536
- VernacularTitle:中枢神经系统感染性疾病流行病学及临床特征：全国多中心横断面研究
- Author:
Jiahua ZHAO
1
;
Jun GUO
;
Xiaoyan ZHANG
;
Wei LI
;
Wen HUANG
;
Xiaofei ZHU
;
Jianxin YE
;
Xiaoling WANG
;
Juan DU
;
Min LI
;
Juan DU
;
Zegang YIN
;
Jinli FENG
;
Chaohui WANG
;
Xiaowei MAO
;
Jing CHEN
;
Xiaowei XING
;
Yuheng SHAN
;
Yuying CEN
;
Xiaojiao XU
;
Ruishu TAN
;
Jiatang ZHANG
Author Information
1. 南开大学医学院，天津 300071
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Central nervous system;
Infection;
Epidemiology;
Cross-sectional study
- From:
Chinese Journal of Neurology
2025;58(5):485-493
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).Methods:A cross-sectional study and analysis were conducted to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 9 918 patients with CNS infectious diseases, who were diagnosed and treated at 29 hospitals across China from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020. Data collected included demographic data, clinical manifestations, health economic indicators, and prognostic outcomes.Results:Among the 9 918 collected cases of CNS infectious diseases, 5 559 were male (56.0%) and 4 359 were female (44.0%), with an onset age of 38 (25, 53) years. Education level: slightly more junior high school education (2 651 cases, 26.7%), and less elementary school education and below (2 181 cases, 22.0%) were found. Occupational distribution: farmers were found predominant (3 215 cases, 32.4%), followed by workers (1 826 cases, 18.4%) and students (1 633 cases, 16.5%). Clinical manifestations: headache (6 074 cases, 61.2%), fever (5 869 cases, 59.2%) and positive meningeal irritation signs (2 273 cases, 22.9%) were the 3 most common clinical manifestations, followed by nausea and (or) vomiting (2 095 cases, 21.1%), impaired consciousness (2 077 cases, 20.9%), psychiatric symptom (1 866 cases, 18.8%) and epilepsy (1 627 cases, 16.4%), etc., and cranial nerve involvement was found in 669 cases (6.7%). Major pathogens included viruses in 6 814 cases (68.7%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1 677 cases (16.9%), common bacteria in 864 cases (8.7%), fungi in 254 cases (2.6%), spirochetes of syphilis in 183 cases (1.8%), parasites in 121 cases (1.2%), and rickettsiae in 5 cases (0.1%). Urban-rural distribution: slightly more cases were found in the countryside (5 418 cases, 54.6%) than in the towns (4 500 cases, 45.4%). Distribution of onset by season: 2 412 cases (24.3%) fell ill in spring, 2 835 cases (28.6%) in summer, 2 187 cases (22.1%) in fall, and 2 484 cases (25.0%) in winter. Health economics: the duration of hospitalization was 15 (8, 27) days, and the cost of hospitalization was 1.53 (0.91, 3.02)×10 000 yuan. Prognosis: 9 531 cases (96.1%) were cured or improved, and 92 cases (0.9%) died. Conclusions:The pathogens responsible for CNS infectious diseases are predominantly viruses. Although the incidence is slightly higher during the summer months, the overall seasonal pattern is not particularly pronounced. These infections are more commonly observed in young and middle-aged males and present with a diverse range of clinical manifestations, contributing to a significant disease burden.
