Audia- Meningitis/Encephalitis Flashcards
Neisseria meningitidis
E. coli
is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling
Meningitis
is inflammation of the brain
Encephalitis
_____encephalitis results from direct infection of the brain (e.g., rabies)
Primary Encephalitis
______encephalitis results when infection spreads from meninges to the brain
Secondary Encephalitis
where to obtain CSF
L3-L5 (lumbar puncture)
mostly lymphocytes
normal glucose
normal or mildly elevated protein
(CSF)
viral infection
mostly PMNs (neutrophils seen)
decreased glucose
elevated protein
(CSF)
bacterial infection
what should be on differential if patient is immunocompromised
fungal infection
major causes of bacterial meningitis in the US
S. pneumoniae
group B strep
N. meningitidis
H. influenzae
Listeria monocytogenes
E. coli
capsular K antigen—protects from complement (anti-phagocytic) and can disseminate
neonatal meningitis from E. coli
obligate intracellular, actin rocket, lunchmeat, and transmitted from mom to child
neonatal meningitis from Listeria
risk factors include:
age
group setting
medical hx
healthcare workers
bacterial meningitis
how do Group B strep and E.coli transmit bacterial meningitis
vertical (mother to baby)
H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae transmission of bacterial meningitis
horizontal via resp. droplets and aerosols
Horizontal transmission by direct sharing of respiratory or throat secretions (saliva/spit) – kissing, sharing drinks, lengthy contact (cohabitants)
N. meningitidis
also has oral-fecal transmission
E. coli
can cause meningitis by contaminating food
E. coli and Listeria
sudden onset fever, HA, stiff neck (3-4 days post-exposure)
bacterial meningitis
Other symptoms include nausea, emesis (vomiting), photophobia (light sensitivity), altered mental status
bacterial meningitis
may not present classically and instead may be slow/inactive, irritable, vomit, poor feeding, abnormal reflexes (if infected with bacterial meningitis)
newborns and babies
S. pneumoniae
gram + lancet shaped cocci
capsule-producing (can disseminate well)
S. pneumoniae
alpha hemolytic; grows on blood agar
S. pneumoniae
to treat:
vancomycin + ceftriaxone
S. pneumoniae
interacts w/ D-Ala D-Ala, and blocks building of peptidoglycan and cross linking
Vancomycin
(hit the penicillin binding proteins)—PBPs are crucial for bacteria to build cell wall
Ceftriaxone
why use vanco + ceftriaxone
empiric therapy for the other causes of meningitis before you get the results
type of vaccine that will only generate IgM response
polysaccharides
conjugate ______ to a protein in order to get system turned on and get T cell engagement (T cells are important for inducing, class switching, and affinity maturation)
polysaccharide
to prevent S. pneumoniae
Vaccination (polyvalent conjugate against capsular polysaccharide or polysaccharide vaccine)
gram - diplococci
capsule producing (can disseminate well)
N. meningitidis