Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Bacterial and fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in newborns are of major clinical importance as they carry a high risk of mortality and can cause severe brain injury resulting in long-term morbidities in survivors. Several types of microorganisms can be involved; the most common are group B streptococcus and Escherichia coli, but also gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae and Candida species can cause severe infections. These different microorganisms have their own characteristic patterns of brain injury which can be recognized on neuroimaging. Knowledge about these patterns and the course of the disease can provide the clinician a guide to appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication.