221: Meningitis Flashcards
meningitis pathophysiology…
invasion across the choroid plexus into CSF, inflammation - recognition of the infection by the immune system
CSF analysis changes in meningitis?
ncreased polymorphs, high protein, low glucose if bacterial CSF will be opaque and turbid.
treatment for meningitis?
if bacteria - cefotaxime, (vancomycin/amoxicillin)
if viral - aciclovir for herpes simplex
what is encephalitis?
acute inflammation of the brain tissue
what causes transmissable spongiform encephalopathies?
Prions - differently folded normal strructure protein. different folded protein means brain tissue becomes spongy.
what is creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
(CJD) degenerative neurological disease caused by prions.
presence of neutrophils indicates what?
bacteria
presence of lymphocytes indicates what?
fungal, viral, microbacterial.
layers of the spine from outside in…
supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, ( into the vertebral foramen), epidural space, dura, arachnoid, subarachnoid space.
where is a spinal block injected?
subarachnoid - direct contact with cauda equina/ spinal cord.
where is an epidural injected?
into the extra dural space ( before the dura)
what is a Kernig’s Sign?
inability to straighten the knee with hip at 90 degrees (pain)
most common complication of strep pneumonia meningitis?
hearing impairment
characteristics of acute inflammation?
increased blood flow, increased vascular permeability ( protein rich exudate), emigration of leucocytes from the circultion to the site of infection.
characteristics of chronic inflammation?
infiltration with mononuclear calls ( macrophage, lymphocytes, plasma cells. tissue destruction, fibrosis ( gliosis in the brain) .
