Pathology of vaccine-preventable infectious disease and the central nervous system

Infections of the central nervous system are important sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The risk for infections with specific bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic agents varies greatly with the patient's age, immune status, prior vaccination history, seasonality and geographic exposures. While vaccines are available for many viral and bacterial pathogens, there has been a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in recent years due to under-vaccination of eligible children and adults. This review will discuss key pathognomonic features of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases of the central nervous system that may be encountered in general surgical and autopsy practice.