BMB 2 - CNS Infections

Question 1

Describe the S/Sy of meningitis.

Answer 1

Some or all of the following: sudden fever, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, double vision, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, and a stiff neck

Question 2

Describe the S/Sy of encephalitis.

Answer 2

Some or all of the following: fever, seizures, change in behavior, and confusion and disorientation

Question 3

A patient presents with sudden fever, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, double vision, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, and a stiff neck. What general infectious etiology do you suspect?

Answer 3

Meningitis

Question 4

A patient presents with fever, seizures, a change in behavior, and confusion and disorientation. What general infectious etiology do you suspect?

Answer 4

Encephalitis

Question 5

______________ are the most common causes of encephalitis and meningitis.

Answer 5

Viruses are the most common causes of encephalitis and meningitis.

Question 6

A child with encephalitis most likely contracted what form of infectious agent?

Answer 6

An enterovirus (e.g. Coxsackie)

Question 7

When evaluating a case of encephalitis, the vast majority are going to be of what viral causes?

Answer 7

HSV-1,

an enterovirus,

or an arbovirus

Question 8

True/False.

Cases of pediatric and/or adult encephalitis can start out as fairly mild cases of headache, fever, and nausea which than become full-blown cases of encephalitis (e.g. due to West Nile or Eastern Equine etc.).

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

Name some of the various viral families associated with encephalitis.

Answer 9

Flaviviridae, Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Herpesviridae, Polyomaviridae, Paramyxoviridae

Question 10

Which virus is a fairly common cause of temporal encephalitis?

Answer 10

HSV-1

Question 11

What infectious agent is the most common of all causes of encephalitis?

Answer 11

HSV-1

(10% of all cases, not just the viral ones!)