Central nervous system immune response in postinfectious hydrocephalus

Abstract

Inflammation following neonatal infection is a dominant cause of childhood hydrocephalus in the developing world. Understanding this complex inflammatory response is critical for the development of preventive therapies. In 100 African hydrocephalic infants ≤3 months of age, with and without a history of infection, we elucidated the biological pathways that account for this inflammatory response. We integrated proteomics and RNA sequencing in cerebrospinal fluid, identifying gene pathways involving neutrophil, interleukin (4, 12, and 13) and interferon activity associated with this condition. These findings are required to develop strategies to reduce the risk of hydrocephalus during treatment of infection.