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Semin Neurol 2012; 32(02): 154-160
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1322588
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Infectious Etiologies of Myelopathy

Emily L. Ho
1   Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Wahington
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Publication History

Publication Date:
08 September 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Myelopathy refers to a spinal cord disorder that presents with motor and/or sensory deficits. Infectious agents that cause myelopathy do so by either direct infection of neural structures (e.g., polio), a parainfectious mechanism (with a presumed autoimmune pathogenesis), or as a result of involvement of structures adjoining the spinal cord, which may cause a compressive myelopathy. This review of infectious causes of myelopathy focuses on pathogens that are most relevant to clinicians in North America.

Keywords

myelopathy - infectious disease - spinal cord - bacteria - virus
 

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