BIO 225 (Microbiology) CHAPTER
OUTLINE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES
AFFECTING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
FROM MICROBIOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS A CLINICAL
APPROACH, COWAN SMITH GREENE
VILLE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
, Chapter 17: Infectious Diseases Affecting the Nervous System
The Nervous System and Its Defenses
Components of the immune system:
• Central nervous system (CNS): consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS): which contain the nerves that
emanate from the brain and spinal cord to sense organs and to the
periphery of the body
Three important functions:
• Sensory: fulfilled by sensory receptors at the ends of the peripheral
nerves
• Integrative: translated impulses into sensation or thought which
drives motor function
• Motor: involves structures outside of the nervous system such as
muscles and glands
Defenses of the nervous system are mainly structural:
• How are bony casings of the brain and spinal cord protective? Protect
them from traumatic injury
• How is CSF protective: serves as a cushion
Blood-brain barrier:
• What is this? Restricted permeability of blood vessels in the brain
• Prohibits most microorganisms from entering the nervous system, but
also blocks entry of most drugs and antibiotics
CNS is “immunologically privileged”:
• What does “immune privilege” mean? Able to mount only a partial or
at lease a different immune response when exposed to immunologic
challenge
• Why is the CNS privileged? Even temporary damage could potentially
result from normal immune responses would be detrimental
Microglia and brain macrophages:
• How does their phagocytic ability compare to that of cells in other
parts of the body? Less than that of phagocytic cells elsewhere in the
body
OUTLINE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES
AFFECTING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
FROM MICROBIOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS A CLINICAL
APPROACH, COWAN SMITH GREENE
VILLE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
, Chapter 17: Infectious Diseases Affecting the Nervous System
The Nervous System and Its Defenses
Components of the immune system:
• Central nervous system (CNS): consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS): which contain the nerves that
emanate from the brain and spinal cord to sense organs and to the
periphery of the body
Three important functions:
• Sensory: fulfilled by sensory receptors at the ends of the peripheral
nerves
• Integrative: translated impulses into sensation or thought which
drives motor function
• Motor: involves structures outside of the nervous system such as
muscles and glands
Defenses of the nervous system are mainly structural:
• How are bony casings of the brain and spinal cord protective? Protect
them from traumatic injury
• How is CSF protective: serves as a cushion
Blood-brain barrier:
• What is this? Restricted permeability of blood vessels in the brain
• Prohibits most microorganisms from entering the nervous system, but
also blocks entry of most drugs and antibiotics
CNS is “immunologically privileged”:
• What does “immune privilege” mean? Able to mount only a partial or
at lease a different immune response when exposed to immunologic
challenge
• Why is the CNS privileged? Even temporary damage could potentially
result from normal immune responses would be detrimental
Microglia and brain macrophages:
• How does their phagocytic ability compare to that of cells in other
parts of the body? Less than that of phagocytic cells elsewhere in the
body
