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Fungal Meningitis

Meaning

A rare but extremely serious form of central nervous system infection characterized by the inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, caused by various species of fungi. Unlike more common viral or bacterial forms, this type of meningitis typically progresses slowly and is not transmissible from person to person, often arising from environmental exposure or, critically, from contaminated medical products introduced directly into the central nervous system. This condition represents a profound failure of the host’s immune surveillance and necessitates immediate, aggressive systemic antifungal therapy.