Brain abscess

Question 1

Focal suppurative infection of the brain parenchyma with accompanying inflammation, usually caused by a bacterial infection surrounded by a vascularized capsule

Answer 1

Brain abscess

Question 2

Aerobic, filamentous gram positive rods with positive modified acid-fast stain

Answer 2

Nocardia species

Question 3

Predisposing factors for Nocardia infections

Answer 3

Immunosuppression
Chemotherapy
Smoking
Alcoholism

Question 4

Treatment for Nocardia infections

Answer 4

Sulfa drugs

Question 5

Treatment for infection with actinomycetes

Answer 5

Penicillin

Question 6

Infection caused by Taenia solium larvae

Answer 6

Neurocysticercosis

Question 7

Antimicrobials used in neurocysticercosis

Answer 7

Praziquantel
Albendazole
Steroids

Question 8

First differential for seizures and encephalitis in HIV positive pts

Answer 8

Cerebral toxoplasmosis

Question 9

CD4 counts at greatest risk for cerebral toxoplasmosis

Answer 9

<50

Question 10

Antimicrobials used to treat toxoplasmosis

Answer 10

Pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine
Dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor + leucovorin
TMP-SMX

Question 11

When is prophylaxis for toxoplasmosis indicated?

Answer 11

Toxoplasma antibodies positive
CD4 <100

Question 12

Antimicrobials used for toxoplasmosis prophylaxis

Answer 12

Dapsone + pyrimethamine
Dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor + leucovorin