Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41949738›Full record

ReviewCurrent pain and headache reports2026

Headache Attributed to Infection: A Clinical and Pathophysiological Overview.

Márk Kozák, Laszlo Mechtler, Christopher Ralyea, Viktor Bencs, Rebeka Hodossy-Takács, István Várkonyi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Current pain and headache reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Márk KozákDepartment of Infectology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Bartok Bela Street 2-26, Debrecen, 4031, Hungary. kozak.mark@med.unideb.hu.
Laszlo MechtlerDENT Neurologic Institute Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Christopher RalyeaDENT Neurologic Institute Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Viktor BencsDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 22 Móricz Zsigmond krt, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
Rebeka Hodossy-TakácsDivision of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, MTA-DE Lendület "Momentum" Hemostasis and Stroke Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary.
István VárkonyiDepartment of Infectology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Bartok Bela Street 2-26, Debrecen, 4031, Hungary.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewThis narrative review summarizes current knowledge on infection-related headaches, with focus on classification, clinical presentation, and underlying pathophysiology. As infections increasingly present with neurological symptoms, recognizing headache as a potential red flag remains essential. RECENT

findingsHeadaches attributed to infection range from typical forms such as bacterial meningitis to more subtle parasitic, fungal, or postinfectious entities. The ICHD-3 provides structured diagnostic subtypes, including acute, chronic, and persistent forms. Emerging data on CSF biomarkers and neuroimaging aid in distinguishing secondary headaches from primary mimics. Postinfectious headache, particularly after viral illness or in immunocompromised states, is gaining attention as a long-term sequela. Infectious headaches are clinically diverse and require a structured, classification-based diagnostic approach. Integrating clinical phenotype, imaging, and CSF analysis can support early diagnosis. Further research is warranted to clarify pathogen-specific mechanisms and optimize management.

Indexed as

HeadacheInfectionsDiagnosis, DifferentialHumansEncephalitisHeadacheICHD-3InfectionMeningitisPostinfectious headacheRed flagsSecondary headache

Identifiers

PMID41949738
PMCPMC13061755

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.