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Neurology Week 4 > Bacterial Meningitis > Flashcards

Bacterial Meningitis Flashcards

1
Q

Describe bacterial meningitis

A

This is considered a medical, neurologic and sometimes neurosurgical emergency

The incidence varies throughout the world with it being rare in the west and much more common in the meningitis belt of Africa

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2
Q

What is meningitis?

A

Infection of the meninges – membranes that line the brain and spinal cord

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3
Q

What things cause acute meningitis, marked by quick onset, and a quick progression?

A

bacteria and viruses

As opposed to TB/Crypto (subacute).

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4
Q

How does meningitis occur?

A

Following colonization (commonly of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract), there is invasion into the bloodstream and eventual entry into the subarachnoid space (Direct spread to the CNS also occurs after sinusitis and otitis media)

Subsequent inflammation and neurological damage ensues

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5
Q

Why is the CNS so susceptible to inflammation and neurological damage?

A
  • Subarachnoid space has lack of host defenses
  • Bacterial components recognized, cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1) released
  • Neutrophils then cross the BBB and bacterial lysis occurs leading to release of more pro-inflammatory agents
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6
Q

T or F. Many cytokines are released in greater quantity in pneumococcal meningitis than in meningitis caused by other organisms

A

T. and could account for the worse prognosis associated with pneumococcal meningitis.

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7
Q
A
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8
Q

What are the classic symptoms of meningitis?

A

Fever, nuchal rigidity, and AMS (occurs in <50%)

–Any 2 of HA, nuchal rigidity, fever or AMS much more common – up to 95% of patients

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9
Q

What are some other findings with bacterial meningitis?

A

vomiting, photophobia, seizures, focal neurologic deficit (eg. Cranial nerve palsies), papilledema

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10
Q

Petechiae and purpura are classic with meningitis due to what organism?

A

N. meningitidis

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11
Q

What is a Brudzinski sign?

A

with patient in supine position, passively flex head towards the chest. Test is positive when there is flexion of the knees and hips.

Tests are not good. Kernig and Brudzinski: 5% sensitivity for meningitis

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12
Q

What is a Kernig sign?

A

–patient is supine with hip flexed at 90°. Attempt to extend the leg at the knee. Test is positive when there is resistance to extension a the knee or pain in lower back or posterior thigh

.

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13
Q

What is Jolt accentuation of HA?

A

–Jolt accentuation of HA: patient rotates his/her head horizontally 2-3 times per second. Test is positive if patient reports exacerbation of headache

Jolt accentuation: conflicting studies. Initially looked better but more recent study showed sensitivity of 21%

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14
Q

How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?

A

Most important and should be done as soon as possible: Lumbar puncture for CSF (gold standard). Should be done before antibiotics if possible.

Other options: routine labs (elevated WBC count, possible thrombocytopenia, possible DIC), blood cultures (especially if LP is delayed until after ABX have been given)

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15
Q

_____% of patients with bacterial meningitis will have positive blood cultures

A

50-90%

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16
Q

Sometimes if there is a possibility of a mass lesion or increased ICP, head CT is indicated prior to LP being done for diagnosies. If not and there is increased ICP, LP could cause brain herniation.

Reasons for obtaining head CT prior to LP:

A

Immunocompromised state (eg, HIV infection, immunosuppressive therapy, solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation)

●History of central nervous system (CNS) disease (mass lesion, stroke, or focal infection)

●New onset seizure (within one week of presentation)

●Papilledema

●Abnormal level of consciousness

●Focal neurologic deficit

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17
Q
A
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18
Q

What CSF findings suggest bacterial meningitis?

A

–High opening pressure (normal 10-20 cm H2O)

–High WBC (neutrophil predominant) (chemotactic response) (normal 0-5)

–High protein (blood-brain-barrier breakdown) (normal 15-45)

–Low glucose (host stress response) (normal is 2/3 the plasma glucose)

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19
Q

Bacterial meningitis example:

Opening pressure 30 cm water

WBC 100-50,000

Protein 150

Glucose 30 (serum glucose 100)

A
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20
Q

How sensitive are CSF gram stain and culture for bacterial meningitis?

A

Gram stain sensitivity 65-80%, culture about 80% sensitive

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21
Q

What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in newborns (less than 1 month)?

A

GBS

E. Coli

Listeria

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22
Q

What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in children 1-23 months old?

A

S. pneumo

N. meningitis

H. influenzae

GBS, E. Coli, Enteroviruses

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23
Q

What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in people 2-50 yo?

A

S. pneumo

N. meningitidis

Enteroviruses

HSV

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24
Q

What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in people 50+ yo?

A

S. pneumo

Aerobic Gram negative rods

Listeria

N. meningitidis

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25
Q

How is newborn (less than 1 month) bacterial meningitis tx?

Give antibiotics as soon as possible. Early treatment associated with lower mortality

A

Ampicillin plus Cefotaxime or

Ampicillin plus aminoglycoside such as Gentamicin

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26
Q

How is 1 month-50 yo bacterial meningitis tx?

Give antibiotics as soon as possible. Early treatment associated with lower mortality

A

–Vancomycin plus 3rd generation cephalosporin (either Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime)

–Add ampicillin if Listeria is suspected

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27
Q

How is 50+ yo bacterial meningitis tx?

A

–Vancomycin plus 3rd generation cephalosporin plus Ampicillin

Give antibiotics as soon as possible. Early treatment associated with lower mortality

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28
Q

Empiric tx special situations: Suscepted bacterial meningitis with basilar skull fracture/cribiform plate fracture:

A

Vancomycin plus Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone

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29
Q

Empiric tx special situations: Suscepted bacterial meningitis with head trauma, neurosurgery, or CSF shunt:

A

Vanco + Ceftazidime, Cefepime, or Meropenem

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30
Q

What are some other helpful tx modalities?

A

•Adjunctive corticosteroids: Confers a significant mortality benefit in those with pneumococcal meningitis and a possible mortality benefit in patients with bacterial meningitis due to other organisms

–Possible reduction in hearing loss and other neurologic sequelae

–Give first dose of steroids before or with first dose of antibiotics. Continue for 4 days for bacterial meningitis due to any cause.*

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31
Q

Describe Strep pneumo

A

Gram positive, lancet shaped (oval with pointed ends), encapsulated diplococcus (below)

•Optochin sensitive

•Catalase negative

•Quellung reaction

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32
Q

Strep pneumo

A

Alpha hemolysis (partial hemolysis): form green ring around colonies.

Optochin sensitive

Catalase negative: Distinguishes staph from strep. Catalase catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen

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33
Q

What is the Quellung rxn seen with Strep pneumo

A

With type-specific antiserum, the capsules swell (another distinguishing characteristic)

34
Q

What virulence factors does Strep pneumo have?

A

–Polysaccharide capsule. Interferes with phagocytosis and promotes invasiveness. (No virulence without the capsule. More than 90 antigenically distinct types.)

–IgA protease: enhances organism’s ability to colonize the URT.

–Lipoteichoic acid: activates complement/induces cytokine production

35
Q

__-__% of the population are colonized with S pneumo in the oropharynx.

A

5-50%. Not communicable. Healthy people are typically resistant to infection.

36
Q

What are the risk factors for S. pneumoniae infection?

A

–Alcohol/drug intoxication (causes cerebral impairment, depressing cough reflex and increasing aspiration of secretions)

–Abnormality of the respiratory tract (viral infection, bronchial obstruction, respiratory tract injury)

–Abnormal circulatory dynamics (pulmonary congestion, heart failure)

–Splenectomy and Sickle cell disease (autosplenectomy)

–HIV infection

37
Q

How does S. pneumo cause meningitis?

A

There is initial colonization (adheres tightly to the nasopharyngeal epithelium), followed by invasion (predisposing factors may allow progression to the middle ear or down the respiratory tract to the lungs). Vascular permeability can be altered and allow invasion into the bloodstream

38
Q

How does S. pneumo reach the CNS?

A
  • Bacteria can cross the BBB by binding to cerebral capillaries, transmigrate and enter the CSF leading to meningitis
  • OR
  • Direct spread to CNS after otitis media
39
Q

________ is the most common cause of meningitis in the united states

A

S. pneumo

40
Q

How is S. pneumo meningitis tx?

A
  • Vancomycin plus Ceftriaxone
  • Adjunctive steroids
41
Q

What vaccines are available for Strep pneumo?

A

1) Prevnar 13 (Infants receive 4 doses betwen 6 weeks and 15 months; Adults 19-65 can get if needed)
2) PPSV23 (apporved for children 2+ with specified needs, adults 19-65 as needed, and all adults 65+)

42
Q

Describe Neisseria meningitidis

A

Gram negative diplococci (humans are only host) that is transmitted by airborne droplets

Ranks 2nd to strep pneumo as cause of meningitis but is most common cause in those age 2 years to 18 years.

43
Q

How does N. meningitidis reach the CNS?

A

–Colonize the membranes of the nasopharynx and become part of transient flora of URT (carriers are usually asymptomatic)

–Organism can enter bloodstream and spread to the CNS

44
Q

N. meningitidis can cause outbreaks. What are some common populations in which this occurs?

A

Carriage rates is about 5%, can be up to 35% in people who live in close quarters – military recruits, dorms. Can cause outbreaks, either small or epidemics.

45
Q

What virulence factors does N. meningitidis have?

A
  • polysaccharide capsule
  • Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)- major toxin of N. meningitidis; caused shock and fever
  • Pili
  • Opacity proteins (Also play a role in attachment to respiratory epithelium)
  • Human factor H binding proteins (FHBP)
46
Q

More on the polysaccharide capsule of N. meningitidis

A

–Strains are grouped on the basis of their capsular polysaccharides into 12 serogroups

  • Most important serogroups associated with disease in humans: A, B, C, Y and W135
  • Serotype A: leading cause of epidemic meningitis worldwide
  • Serotype B accounts for most disease in the U.S. Group B polysaccharide is not immunogenic in humans and is not part of the vaccines that contain the capsular polysaccharide of the other 4 groups
47
Q

What does having Pili allow for N. meningitidis?

A

Attachment of epithelial cells in the nasopharynx is mediated by pili. Invasion of mucosal cells involve phase variation (turning off of genes) then turning genes back on once invasion into the bloodstream is complete; also undergo antigenic variation

48
Q

What does Human factor H binding protein (FHBP) do?

A

Binds factor H, an inhibitor of complement factor C3b. Presence of Factor H on surface of the bacteria reduces the opsonizing activity of C3b and reduces amount of membrane attack complex produced.

49
Q

What other very important virulence factors does N. meningitidis have?

A

•Phase variation: Changes in expression states of a gene leading to “on-off” control

•Antigenic variation: Changes in genes leading to expression of different forms of similar genes

50
Q

How does N. meningitidis meningitis present?

A

–Sudden onset of fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, decreased ability to concentrate, and myalgias in an otherwise healthy patient

–Classic triad of fever, AMS, nuchal rigidity in about 25%

51
Q

Note that N. meningitidis can present with three distinct neurological syndromes:

A

Meningitis

Meningitis with accompanying meningococcemia

Meningococcemia without clinical evidence of meningitis

52
Q

How does N. meningitidis induced Meningococcemia (bloodstream infection/sepsis) present?

A

–Rash (nonspecific to petechial to purpuric), cold hands and feet, leg pain, shock, DIC

–Fever, n/v, difficulty to arouse

53
Q

_____ may be an important differential sign for N. meningitidis induced meningitis and occasionally the pain is quite intense. These are generally more painful than myalgias seen in viral influenza. Disease progression is usually quite rapid with transition from health to severe disease in a matter of hours.

A

Myalgias

Late winter months.

54
Q

The presentation of N. meningitidis meningitis can also include what?

A

Purpura fulminans:

–Severe complication of meningococcal disease

–Occurs in 15-25% of those with meningococcemia

–Acute onset of cutaneous hemorrhage and necrosis due to vascular thrombosis and DIC

55
Q

How does meningococcal disease present?

A

Earliest clinical signs: fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and upper respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat and coryza)

  • Can be very difficult to recognize and diagnose early in the course of disease
  • Classic clinical features of meningococcal disease (eg, hemorrhagic rash, meningismus, and impaired consciousness) appear late in the illness
56
Q

What is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?

A

Adrenal infarction can cause adrenal insufficiency that follows N. meningitidis infection

57
Q
A
58
Q

How is N. meningitidis tx?

A
  • Once the diagnosis is seriously considered (either meningitis or meningococcemia), no more than 30 minutes should elapse before administering antibiotic. Either Cefotaxime or Ceftriaxone
  • If organism is penicillin susceptible, can switch to penicillin if desired
  • +/- dexamethasone
  • Close contacts of those infected should receive prophylaxis (Cipro, Rifampin or Ceftriaxone)
59
Q

What vaccines are available for N. meningitidis?

A

Menactra and Menveo (quidrivalent vaccines active against serotypes A,C,Y, and W135) - either is recommended for ALL people 11-18 years old and those 2-10 and 19-55 at increased risk

-Trumeba (MenB-Fhbp) and Bexsero (MenB-4C)- vaccines against serogroup B for those 10-25 yo

60
Q

Describe Listeria monocytogenes

A

A gram + rod, facultative intracellular that exhibits unsual ‘tumbling’ movement intracellularly (distinguished from corynebacteria)

61
Q

T or F. Listeria monocytogenes grows well at cold temperatures

A

T. Those at risk: neonates, elderly, immunosuppressed (especially those with defects in cell-mediated immunity)

62
Q

Describe the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes

A

Infection depends on the ability to invade and survive within cells. Invasion of cells is mediated by internalin and E-cadherin on the surface of human cells

63
Q

The ability of Listeria to pass the placenta, enter meninges, and invade GI tract depends on what?

A

interaction of internalin and E-cadherin on those tissues

64
Q

After entering a cell Listeria produces:

A

listeriolysin O along with phospholipases which allow it to escape from the phagosome in the cytoplasm

•LLO: main virulence factor. Induces T cell receptor unresponsiveness, interferes with host immune response

65
Q

In the host cell cytoplasm bacterial surface proteins bind to host cell cytoskeletal proteins and induce actin polymerization which generates sufficient force to propel the bacteria into adjacent, uninfected host cells.

•Form “rocket tails” via actin polymerization

A

Listeria is a facultative intracellular pathogen, so those with defects in cell-mediated immunity such as those with reduced numbers of CD4 lymphocytes are at increased risk for listeriosis. Cytokine activation of macrophages (by interferon gamma) is necessary to kill the organism

66
Q

How is Listeria transmitted?

A

-organism is distributed in animals, plants, and soil and is transmitted to humans primarily by ingestion of unpasteurized milk products (milk and cheese!) (it can survive in the frig), undercooked meat, and raw veggies

Pregnant women: no soft cheeses, no cold deli meat/hot dogs

67
Q

What diseases does listeria cause in immunocompetent pts?

A

gastroenteritis characterized by watery diarrhea, fever, HA, myalgias, and abdominal cramps

Listeria account for less than 1 percent of reported cases of bacterial foodborne infections. Requires large inoculum. Usually lasts 2 days or less.

68
Q

What diseases does listeria cause in pregnant pts?

A

Asymptomatic or mild influenza-like illness (3rd trimester) (Fetal death and premature birth can also occur due to maternal infection.)

Listeria has a predilection for the placenta and the central nervous system. How this occurs is not well understood. Listeria crosses the placenta during maternal bacteremia and infects the fetus.

69
Q

What diseases does listeria cause in neonates, immunocompromsied, and elderly pts?

A

Sepsis and/or meningoencephalitis (most common CNS infection

57 adults who ingested contaminated cheese: 21 percent had bacteremia, 40 percent had meningitis, and 39 percent had meningoencephalitis [7]. Forty-two percent had an underlying disease, and more than one-half were at least 65 years of age

70
Q

How does listeria meningoencephalitis present?

A

–Mild illness with fever and mental status changes

–Can have fulminant course with coma

–Most adults have a subacute illness; almost half present without signs of meningeal irritation

71
Q

How is listeria meningoencephalitis diagnosed?

A

–In subacute presentation, CSF can look like TB or fungal: Lymphocytic predominant, elevated protein, low glucose.

–CSF cultures are usually positive

72
Q

How is listeria meningoencephalitis tx?

A

–Ampicillin/Penicillin +/- gentamicin

–Alternative for PCN allergy: Bactrim

73
Q

Describe Haemophilis influenzae

A

•Small gram negative bacillus (coccobacillary rod) with polysaccharide capsule (not all strains are encapsulated)

–6 serotypes based on antigenicity of capsule; B is the most important

–Other nonencapsulated strains considered nontypable (cause upper and lower resp tract infections)

74
Q

Describe the pathogenesis of Haemophilis influenzae

A

–Inhaled into respiratory tract resulting in asymptomatic colonization or infection (sinusitis, otitis media, PNA)

–From respiratory tract can enter bloodstream and spread to the meninges (caused primarily by encapsulated strains)

75
Q

More about H. influenzae virulence determinants and plating

A

Also produces endotoxin and IgA protease

Culture on chocolate agar requires factors V (NAD+) and X (hematin) for growth

76
Q

Who gets H. flu meningitis?

A
  • Exclusively human pathogen
  • Most infections occur in children 6 months to 6 years (decline in maternal IgG, also can’t generate sufficient antibody against the capsule until around 2 years)
  • Clinically meningitis is indistinguishable from other causes of bacterial meningitis

–Acute onset

77
Q

How is H. flu meningitis tx?

A

Ceftriaxone

78
Q

Is there a vaccine for H. flu?

A

•Hib conjugate vaccine

Give to All infants: 2-3 doses 6 weeks to 6 months old; Booster at 12-15 months

79
Q

What are the common outcomes of bacterial meningitis?

A
  • 10-30% mortality even with appropriate treatment in high-income countries (Meningitis due to S. pneumoniae 19-37% case fatality rates)
  • 30% of survivors have long-term neurologic sequelae (hearing loss, other focal deficits)

–Meningococcal meningitis 3-13% case fatality rate with morbidity rates of 3-7%

80
Q

What are some risk factors for a poor outcome with meningitis?

A

Systemic compromise, older age, impaired consciousness, low white count in CSF, and low platelet count

81
Q
A

Neurology Week 4 (26 decks)

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