<P> Casomorphin is a heptapeptide and could be able to pass the BBB . </P> <P> Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (these membranes are known as meninges). Meningitis is most commonly caused by infections with various pathogens, examples of which are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae . When the meninges are inflamed, the blood--brain barrier may be disrupted . This disruption may increase the penetration of various substances (including either toxins or antibiotics) into the brain . Antibiotics used to treat meningitis may aggravate the inflammatory response of the central nervous system by releasing neurotoxins from the cell walls of bacteria - like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Depending on the causative pathogen, whether it is bacterial, fungal, or protozoan, treatment with third - generation or fourth - generation cephalosporin or amphotericin B is usually prescribed . </P> <P> A brain or cerebral abscess, like other abscesses, is caused by inflammation and collection of lymphatic cells and infected material originating from a local or remote infection . A brain abscess is a rare, life - threatening condition . Local sources may include infections of the ear, the oral cavity and teeth, the paranasal sinuses, or an epidural abscess . Remote sources may include infections in the lung, heart or kidney . A brain abscess may also be caused by head trauma or as a complication of surgery . In children cerebral abscesses are usually linked to congenital heart disease . In most cases, 8--12 weeks of antibacterial therapy is required . </P> <P> Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that is characterized by recurrent and sometimes untreatable seizures . Several clinical and experimental data have implicated the failure of blood--brain barrier function in triggering chronic or acute seizures . Some studies implicate the interactions between a common blood protein (albumin) and astrocytes . These findings suggest that acute seizures are a predictable consequence of disruption of the BBB by either artificial or inflammatory mechanisms . In addition, expression of drug resistance molecules and transporters at the BBB are a significant mechanism of resistance to commonly used anti-epileptic drugs . </P>

Antibiotics that do not cross the blood brain barrier