8.2.1 Infectious Brain Disorders

Question 1

Describe the importance of chromosome 20 in prion disease.

Answer 1

Question 2

What is this an image of?

Answer 2

Rabies

Question 3

What are the characteristis of Cryptococcus infection?

Answer 3

Question 4

What is the pathogenesis of CJD?

Answer 4

Prion protein is normally expressed as PrP^c. Disease arises when there is conversion to the beta-pleated sheet conformation (PrP^sc) of the prion protein. This pathologic protein is not degradable, and converts normal protein into the pathologic form.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis?

Answer 5

Question 6

What is meningitis?

Answer 6

Inflammation of the leptomeninges and CSF within the subarachnoid space

Question 7

What is a tachyzoite?

Answer 7

Method of transmission of T. gondii

Question 8

What are the characteristics of Rabies (Rhabdovirus)?

Answer 8

Question 9

Objective: What are the causative organisms of acute pyogenic meningitis for the following age groups:

Neonates

Adolescents

Older adults

Answer 9

Neonates: E. coli, Group B strep, Listeria monocytogenes

Adolescents: N. meningitidis

Older Adults: Strep pneumo, L. monocytogenes

Question 10

What are the clinical and CSF findings associated with meningitis?

Answer 10

Neck stiffness (nuchal rigidity), headache and fever

CSF: Cloudy, neutrophils, increased pressure, increased protein and decreased glucose (depending on if it is a bacteria or fungal)

Question 11

What are the characteristics of HSV encephalitis?

Answer 11

Question 12

What are these images of?

Answer 12

Cryptococcus infection

Question 13

What are the characteristics of toxoplasmosis?

Answer 13

T. gondii: protozoan

Necrotic abscesses - Ring enhanced lesions

Host by cat

Patients most at risk - AIDS

Question 14

What are the characteristic, incidence, EEG and CSF findings in CJD?

Answer 14

Characteristic: Protease-resistant prion protein

Incidence: 1/millon

EEG: Periodic Sharp Waves

CSF: Elevated 14-3-3 protein

Question 15

What are the characteristics of poliomyelitis?

Answer 15

Question 16

How would you makes a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis?

Answer 16

Question 17

What is this an image of?

Answer 17

CJD

Question 18

What is the triad of histological findings associated with CJD?

Answer 18

Spongiform change

Neuronal Loss

Gliosis

Question 19

What are the characteristics of HIV Encephalitis?

Answer 19

Multinucleated Giant Cells

HIV p24+

Question 20

What are these images of?

Answer 20

HIV Encephalitis

Question 21

What ways can CJD be transmitted?

Answer 21

Neurosugical instruments

Dural Graft

Corneal Transplant

Question 22

Objective: What is this and can you describe the organization of it?

Answer 22

Brain abscess

Center: Necrosis and neutrophils

Rim: Granulation tissue and fibrous capsule

Surrounding tissue: Edema and gliosis

Question 23

What is this an image of and what is being covered?

Answer 23

Florid plaques on vCJD

Question 24

Objective: What are the common bugs associated with brain abscess?

Answer 24

Staphylococci and Streptococci

Question 25

What are these images of?

Answer 25

Toxoplasmosis

Top - Necrotizing abscess

Bottom - Cyst formation

Question 26

What are the characteristics of fungal infections?

Answer 26

Question 27

What is this an image of?

Answer 27

Polio Virus

Anterior Horn Cells in Spinal Cord