Symptoms:

Symptoms may develop slowly, over a period of 2 weeks, or they may develop suddenly. They may include:

• Aching of neck, shoulders, or back
• Changes in mental status
  • Confusion
  • Decreasing responsiveness
  • Drowsiness
  • Eventual coma
  • Inattention
  • Irritability
  • Slow thought processes
• Decreased movement
• Decreased sensation
• Decreased speech (aphasia)
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Language difficulties
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of muscle function
• Seizures
• Stiff neck, shoulders, or back
• Vision changes
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Signs and tests:

A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam will usually show increased intracranial pressure and problems with brain function.

Tests to diagnose a brain abscess may include:

• Blood cultures
• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Cranial CT scan
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• MRI of head
• Testing for the presence of antibodies to organisms (including toxoplasma and Tinea solium)

A needle biopsy is usually performed to identify the cause of the infection.