8 - Meningitis Flashcards
What are the risk factors for meningitis?
- Nasopharyngeal colonization w/ N. meningitides, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
- Prior URTI, cochlear implants
- Cranial anatomical defects, trauma, fracture, neurosurgery, prosthesis drains
- Neonates, advanced age, pregnancy
- Immunocompromised (HIV, malignancy, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, splenectomy)
What are the most likely pathogens of meningitis according to pt age?
- Neonates = S. agalactiae, E. coli
- Children = N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae; H. influenzae if unvaccinated
- Adolescents/ young adults = S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis
- Neonates, advanced age > 60 y/o, immunocompromised, pregnancy = L. monocytogenes
- Immunocompromised, health-care associated = S. aureus, gram neg bacilli
Gram stain of S. agalactiae
- Gram pos diplococci
- Part of group B strep family
Gram stain of N. meningitidis
Gram neg diplococci
Gram stain of H. influenzae
Gram neg rod
Gram stain of Listeria monocytogenes
Gram pos bacilli
What are the most common clinical signs of meningitis?
- Fever > 40 C
- Nuchal rigidity or neck stiffness
- CNS (headache, photophobia, confusion, reduced consciousness, seizures)
- Neonates = non-specific sx +/- fever, seizures, respiratory distress, septic shock
- CSF = protein elevated and low glucose
- Skin lesions may indicate N. meningitidis or H. influenzae involvement (rarely occur w/ pneumococcal)
What are some possible complications of meningitis?
- Herniation – diffuse swelling, hydrocephalus
- Infarction – inflammatory occlusion of basal arteries
- Seizures (cortical inflammation)
- Significantly influenced by pathogen, pt age, health status, and tx
What are the antimicrobial fundamentals for meningitis?
- Early, prompt initiation
- CSF penetration (molecular size, lipophilicity, ionization, protein binding; barrier inflammation)
- Rapid sterilization
What role does inflammation play in penetration of antibiotics in CSF?
Helps antibiotics enter CSF b/c it weakens tight junctions
Empirical antimicrobial therapy for meningitis in infants under 1 month?
- Cefotaxime + ampicillin +/- gentamicin
- Gent added to make cefotaxime cidal against group B strep
- Aminoglycosides don’t cross CSF, but in this case are being used for synergy so much lower levels are needed
- Can’t use ceftriaxone b/c of calcium binding and depositing in soft tissue
Empirical antimicrobial therapy for meningitis in children 1 month to 17 years?
- Cefotaxime/ ceftriaxone + vanco
- Cefotaxime/ ceftriaxone for neisseria
- Vanco used for PRSP w/ reduced susceptibility to 3rd gen cephalosporins
Empirical antimicrobial therapy for meningitis in 18-50 y/o?
Cefotaxime/ ceftriaxone + vanco
Empirical antimicrobial therapy for meningitis in over 50 y/o?
- Cefotaxime/ ceftriaxone + vanco + ampicillin
- Ampicillin covers listeria
What therapy would be used for listeria meningitis?
Ampicillin, but since not cidal would be +/- gent
Empirical antimicrobial therapy for healthcare-associated meningitis?
(Meropenem or ceftazidime) + vanco
Empirical antimicrobial for meningitis in immunocompromised?
Meropenem + vanco + ampicillin