Cerebral Infection Flashcards
What are the 6 important serogroups of meningococcus? What are the common disease causing ones?
ABC WXY
B and particularly C used to be very important, W is now upcoming and has a predilection for teenagers
What is the new meningococcal vaccine that is upcoming?
Quadrivalent - ACWY
Besides meningococcus, what are the 2 other most important bacterial causes of meningitis?
Haemophilus influenzae B
Pneumococcus
What bacterial cause of meningitis is associated with pregnant women, and which is important in neonates?
Listeria monocytogenes
GBS
Quantad of symptoms associated with acute community acquired bacterial meningitis?
Headache
Fever
Altered mental state
Neck stiffness
CSF findings suggestive of bacterial infection?
Very high neutrophil (polymorphs) count
Very high exudative protein count
Low glucose
CSF findings suggestive of viral infection?
High lymphocytes
High protein count
Normal glucose
CSF findings suggestive of fungal or TB-like infection?
High lymphocyte count
Very high protein count (chronic)
Glucose may be normal or reduced
Empirical treatment options for suspected bacterial meningitis?
Cefotaxime
Ceftriaxone
Why is ceftriaxone often preferred over cefotaxime for bacterial meningitis?
Clears carriage as well as current disease
Do corticosteroids have a role in bacterial meningitis treatment?
Yes sometimes - kids in intensive care?
What is the only common bacterial cause of meningitis not covered by cephalosporins? What do you have to give instead?
Listeria monocytogenes - amoxicillin + Gentamycin
What drug can be given for bacterial meningitis is B lactam allergy? Risks?
Chloramphenicol - risk of aplastic anaemia/agranulocytosis
What syndrome can be caused by giving chloramphenicol to little kids?
Grey baby syndrome
Prophylactic Abx for contacts of suspected bacterial meningitis?
Ciprofloxacin or Rifampicin
