Guide To The Types Of Myelitis

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is a form of myelitis caused by an infection of a highly transmittable virus that is part of the Picornaviridae family. The poliovirus infects an individual by invading the oropharynx and then colonizing in their tonsils, neck lymph nodes, Peyer patches, and small intestine. Symptoms begin to manifest anywhere from two to thirty-five days following initial exposure. Initially, the poliovirus produces flu-like symptoms for between three and five days. The virus then enters the bloodstream and moves to the central nervous system, damaging the spinal anterior horn cells. Poliovirus then spreads to the posterior horn cells, hypothalamus, and motor neuron of the thalamus. This central nervous system invasion causes symptoms of paralysis in multiple parts of the body and summons an immune response that characterizes poliomyelitis. This immune response is the congregation of plasma cells, microglia, neutrophils, and other macrophages. The macrophages consume cells infected by poliovirus, resulting in damage to the white matter of the spinal cord. Severe cases of poliomyelitis result in respiratory paralysis. Elimination of the infection and rehabilitation of lost nerve and muscle function are the focuses of poliomyelitis treatment.

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Meningococcal Myelitis

Meningococcal myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord caused by Meningococci or a type of bacteria with the ability to produce serious infections in the body. Meningococci causes meningitis more often than it does myelitis, but both may occur together. An infection by meningococci starts with symptoms including fever, vomiting, stiff neck, and intense headache. This type of infection can affect both the white and grey matter of the spinal cord, producing classic symptoms seen in myelitis. In such cases, the inflammation of the spinal cord is caused by a direct infiltration and infection of the spinal cord tissues by the bacteria itself. However, meningococcal myelitis can also occur when the immune system responds to the meningococci bacteria that has invaded tissues elsewhere. Typically this is seen with meningococcal encephalitis and meningococcal meningitis. The immune system reacts to the bacteria by destroying different types of healthy cells and infected cells in the central nervous system. This process causes severe inflammation in the spinal cord or myelitis precipitated from the meningococci bacteria.