Table 2.
Microbiologic pathogens in brain abscesses, according to major primary source of infection∗
| Source of infection | Pathogens |
|---|---|
| Paranasal sinuses | Streptococcus (especially Streptococcus milleri), haemophilus, bacteroides fusobacterium |
| Odontogenic sources | Streptococcus, bacteroides, prevotella fusobacterium, haemophilus |
| Otogenic sources | Enterobacteriaceae, streptococcus pseudomonas, bacteroides |
| Lungs | Streptococcus, fusobacterium actinomyces |
| Urinary tract | Pseudomonas, enterobacter |
| Penetrating head trauma | Staphylococcus aureus, enterobacter clostridium |
| Neurosurgical procedure | Staphylococcus, streptococcus pseudomonas, enterobacter |
| Endocarditis | Viridans streptococcus, S. aureus |
| Congenital cardiac malformations (especially right-to-left shunts) | Streptococcus |
∗
Reproduced from Friedlander, Gonzalez, Afridi, Pfannl, 2003 (14) with permission Copyright © 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society.