CH 26 - Nervous System Infections Flashcards
Blood-brain barrier
(definition)
Cells that function together to create protective semipermeable border that separates CNS from bloodstream
Central nervous system (CNS)
(definition)
Brain & spinal cord
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
(definition)
Fluid produced in brain that flows within & around CNS
Encephalitis
(definition)
Inflammation of the brain
Meninges
(definition)
Membranes covering brain & spinal cord
Meningitis
(definition)
Inflammation of the meninges
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
(definition)
Division of the NS that carries information to & from the CNS
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)
(definition)
Chronic degenerative brain disease caused by prions
Characterized by spongy appearance of brain tissue
Structures of CNS:
- Brain
- Cerebrum = perception & thinking
- Cerebellum = body movements
- Brain stem = breathing & HR - Spinal cord (brain stem to lumbar)
Structures of PNS:
- Sensory nerves
- Carry signals toward CNS - Motor nerves
- Carry signals away from CNS - Mixed nerves
- Carry signals toward & away from CNS
Negative outcomes of central nervous system infections (CNSI):
- Threaten person’s ability to move, feel, & thick normally
- Destroy nerve cells, leading to paralysis
- Complete loss of fingers/toes or deformity of face
Portals of infection of CNS:
(how pathogens can access)
- Breaks in bones/meninges
- Medical procedures
- Traveling in peripheral neurons to CNS
- Infecting/killing cells of the meninges (resulting in meningitis)
Bacterial Nervous System Infections (2 ways):
- Bacteria infect cells of nervous system
- Meningitis
- Leprosy - Bacteria growing elsewhere release toxins that affect neurons
- Botulism
- Tetanus
Meningitis:
General Symptoms
- High fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Photophobia
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
- Seizures (late stage)
Meningoencephalitis
Inflammation/infection of meninges & brain
Bacteria Meningitis
Inflammation of covering of brain & spinal cord
Spread by direct close contact with discharges from nose/throat of infected people (crowded places)
Can result in irreversible neurological damage & death (blindness, deafness, learning deficiencies)
Bacterial Meningitis:
Main Causative Agents
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Streptococcus penumoniae
- Haemophilus influenza
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Streptococcus agalactiae
Bacterial Meningitis:
Main Causes in Newborns
- Escherichia coli
- Streptococcus agalactiae
- Listeria monocytogenes
Bacterial Meningitis:
Symptoms over age 2
- High fever
- Headache
- Stiff neck
Bacterial Meningitis:
Symptoms in newborns & infants
Fever, headache, & neck stiffness may be hard to detect
- Inactivity
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Poor feeding
Bacterial Meningitis:
Prevention
Vaccines against:
- H. influenza type B
- Most strains of N. meningitidis
- Many types of S. pneumoniae
Rapid diagnosis
Prompt treatment of close personal contacts
Bacterial Meningitis in Newborns:
Streptococcus agalactiae
Group B strep
- G+ cocci in chains
- Colonizes vagina (15-40% of pregnant women)
- Leading infectious cause of morbidity & mortality in US newborns
Major cause of “early onset” meningitis in newborns (<72 hrs after birth)
Culture + women treated with antibiotics prior/during labor
Bacterial Meningitis in Newborns:
E. coli
G- rods
- From mother’s GI tract
2nd most common cause of “early onset” meningitis
- Most caused by E. coli K1 strains (produce polysialic acid K1 capsule)
Invasion across BBB requires several genes for:
1. Binding
2. Invasion
3. Intracellular survival
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Causative Agent
Neisseria meningitidis
- G- diplococcus
- Nonmotile
- Most common cause of bacterial meningitis
13 antigenic groups
- Most serious infections due to strains: A, B, C, Y, & W135
Can progress to death within a few hours
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Virulence Factors (N. meningitidis)
- Fimbriae
- Capsule
- Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Pathogenesis
- Inhale airborne droplets from respiratory tract of another person
- Humans = ONLY source of infection - Attaches to mucous membrane by pili
- Invades bloodstream
- Blood carries to meninges & CSF
Much damage results from vesicles
- Used to shed extrusion of outer membrane
Lipid A of LOS released into body
- Fever, vasodilation, inflammation, & widespread clotting
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Symptoms
- Cold
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shock
- Petechiae
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Epidemiology
Spreads rapidly in crowded populations
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Prevention
Vaccine
- Purified capsular polysaccharides of N. meningitidis serogroup A, C, Y, & W135
Meningococcal Meningitis:
Treatment
Antibiotics
- Ceftriaxone & penicillin (in high doses)
Rifampin can be given as prophylactic treatment to people intimately exposed to cases
Listeriosis:
Causative Agent
Listeria monocytogenes
- G+ rod
- Motile
- Non-spore forming
- Facultative anaerobe
Grows in macrophages & at 4C (low temps)
Listeriosis:
Pathogenesis
Worldwide distribution in animals, plants, & soil
Intracellular growth
Listeriosis:
Transferred to humans by…
- Contact with animal feces
- Unpasteurized milk & cheese
- Contaminated vegetables
Listeriosis:
Infections occur primarily in 2 clinical settings…
- Fetus or newborn
- Transmission across placenta or during delivery
- Infected mother may be asymptomatic or have flu-like illness - Immune suppressed pts
- Can lead to sepsis or meningitis