Bacteria

Question 1

Neisseria meningitidis is a CNS infection that mostly affects _____; asymptomatic carriage can range from:

Answer 1

School aged children and young adults

1-40%

Question 2

N. meningitidis reservoir and carrier:

Answer 2

HUMANS only

Question 3

Disease pattern of N. meningitidis? Epidemic epidemiology?

Answer 3

Carriage is transient; clearance correlates with antibodies made against polysaccharide capsule

Disease is sporadic but common during dry/cold months when people are packed together

Major epidemics every 8-12 years
Meningitidis belt in sub-saharan Africa during dry months June-December
Most epidemics are associated with serogroup A

Question 4

What generally happens clinically after infection of N. meningitidis?

Answer 4

After infection, mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic nasopharyngeal state
- Transient bacteremia, fever, malaise (may resolve)

Question 5

Symptoms of N. meningitidis in infants?

Answer 5

irritability, refusal to take food, seizures, disturbed motor tone, coma

Question 6

Symptoms of N. meningitidis in older children and adults?

Answer 6

altered mental status, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia

Question 7

Acute bacterial meningitis symptoms?

Answer 7

Acute bacterial meningitis: present in ER/coma, abrupt onset of chills, fever, severe headache, meningeal inflammation, cervical and thoracolumbar ridigity, exaggerated reflexes

Question 8

How does N. meningitidis affect skin?

Answer 8

Petechiae: minute hemorrhagic spots in the skin
Purpura: hemorrhagic spots (1-3 days in 30-60% of pts)

Question 9

How do you test/diagnose for N. meningitidis?

Answer 9

Gram stain of CSF (gram neg diplococci)
Blood culture
Oxidase positive
Biochemical tests

Question 10

Why is staphylococcus hard to control, infection wise?

Answer 10

It’s part of our natural flora

Establishes residence on surface tissue or alimentary tract; especially ANTERIOR NARES