Korean Journal of Stroke  2012;14(1):6-11

Stroke-Related Inflammation and Infection.

Tai Hwan PARK 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Inflammation; Vasculitis; Stroke

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Inflammatory and infectious conditions can involve the cerebral vasculature and cause stroke. Vasculitis involving central nervous system (CNS) is a heterogeneous entity of disorders characterized by inflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls. It can be caused by noninfectious and infectious diseases. Noninfectious cause includes primary angiitis of CNS, giant cell arteritis, Takayasu's disease and Behcet's disease. Hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency and varicella-zoster viruses as well as bacterial and fungal organisms have been reported to be associated with infectious vasculitis. Inflammatory biomarkers and infectious index are in a portion regarded as risk factors of stroke. However, there is still controversy and further prospective evaluation should be performed. In the current article, the author concisely reviewed contemporary studies about inflammatory and infectious conditions associated with stroke.