Purpose of review: Infections are important, potentially treatable causes of peripheral nervous system disease. This article reviews the clinical presentation and management of several common peripheral nervous system diseases due to viral, bacterial, spirochetal, and parasitic infections.
Recent findings: The clinical presentation and evaluation of infectious peripheral nervous system diseases are well established. Advances in the treatment and, in some cases, the prevention of these diseases are still evolving.
Summary: A diverse range of peripheral nervous system diseases, including peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, radiculomyelopathy, cranial neuropathy, and motor neuropathy, are caused by numerous infectious agents. In some patients, peripheral neuropathy may be a side effect of anti-infectious drugs. Infectious neuropathies are important to recognize as they are potentially treatable. This article discusses the clinical presentation, evaluation, and treatment of several common peripheral nervous system diseases caused by viral, bacterial, spirochetal, and parasitic infections, as well as some peripheral nerve disorders caused by adverse effects of the treatments of these infectious diseases.