Cause 8. Infections: An Indirect Assault
Viral and bacterial infections represent another significant cause of cerebellar ataxia. These pathogens can induce ataxia either through direct invasion of the cerebellum or as an immune-mediated response following infection. Understanding the infectious origins of ataxia can guide both preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions.
Among viruses, the Varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox and shingles, can lead to cerebellar ataxia, typically seen in children and presenting as an acute, self-limiting illness. Similarly, infections with Epstein-Barr virus, best known for causing infectious mononucleosis, can occasionally lead to post-infectious cerebellitis resulting in ataxia.
The Coxsackievirus, a type of enterovirus, is another pathogen that can cause cerebellar ataxia. This virus is most commonly associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease in children, but in rare cases, it can also lead to neurological complications such as aseptic meningitis and acute cerebellar ataxia.
Borrelia burgdorferi infects the nervous system, potentially causing cerebellar ataxia. Similarly, neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, can induce ataxia.
In this case, the infection can form cysts within the brain, including the cerebellum, which can disrupt normal function and result in ataxia. Infections such as these underscore the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment, not just to alleviate immediate symptoms but also to prevent long-term neurological complications like cerebellar ataxia.
However, not all infectious causes of cerebellar ataxia involve direct infection of the cerebellum. In some cases, the ataxia results from an immune response following the infection, a condition known as post-infectious or acute cerebellar ataxia. (8)
