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So the fungus can cross the blood brain barrier? Or does it get there via other means?
by stef25 3y ago
So the fungus can cross the blood brain barrier? Or does it get there via other means?
- haldujai 3y agoYes. Microbes once in the blood stream can cross/bypass the barrier by a few ways such as by crossing endothelial cells, crossing loosened or disrupted tight junctions or by entering a host cell that then traverses the barrier. Normally, intact cell-mediated immunity prevents harmless airway colonization of these types of organisms from entering the blood stream or causing clinical infection hence why they're called opportunistic infections. Rare in immunocompetent patients.
- Zelphyr 3y agoThe surgeons never said one way or another. I got the distinct impression that they are, unfortunately, at quite a loss when it comes to people like my dad since he shouldn't have been immunocompromised. In fact, prior to the biopsy, they were convinced it was some form of cancer.
- DoreenMichele 3y agoOne known means to enter the brain is via the sinuses. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36767405 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36767405