CNS Infections Flashcards
What are the most common etiológical agents responsible for CNS infections?
Bacteria and viruses
The diagnosis of a CNS infection is going to involve what?
A medical history, physical examination, CSF and blood analysis, gram stain, culture, PCR, serologic tests, Neuro imaging (MRI, CT)
Meningitis is identified by what?
An abnormal amount of white blood cells in the CSF
Infection of the brain meninges can be caused by a…
Bacteria or virus
What is the timeline of acute meningitis?
Hours to days
What are some microorganisms responsible for acute meningitis?
Strep pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, coxsackievirus and HSV-2
What is the timeline of subacute meningitis?
Days to weeks
What are the most common microorganisms responsible for subacute meningitis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, cryptococcus
Chronic meningitis is characterized by…?
At least 4 weeks of symptoms of inflammation in the CSF
Which organisms are responsible for asceptic meningitis?
Echovirus, cocksackie (A, B), HSV-2, HSV-1, VZV, EBV, CMV, HIV
Which organisms can cause meningitis in infants?
In infants less than 1 month old we have E. Coli, S agalactie, Listeria monocytogenes
In infants less than 1 month old the viruses responsible are enteroviruses, HSV, VZV, CMV
Parasites we have toxoplasma Gondi
Which bacteria are responsive for acute bacterial meningitis?
In individuals between 1 month and 50 years of age we have S pneumoniae , neisseria meningitidis and in people older than 50 years or age we have S pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes
Which microorganisms are responsive for chronic meningitis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HIV, cryptococcus neoformans
What is the classical triad of meningitis?
Fever, headache, and nuchal rigidity
Which type of ascetic meningitis is not self limited in infants?
HSV-2
Acute meningitis is common in which population?
Adult population
L monocytogenes can be transmitted via the ingestion of what?
Contaminated dairy, hot dogs, fish
Strep pneumoniae can cause acute meningitis and be transmitted how?
Person to person respiratory droplets
How does the bacteria reach the meninges?
They start replicating in the primary site of infection and then they spread to the bloodstream and the lymphatic system until they come in to contact with the large venous sinuses where they can come in contact with the meninges
Acute bacterial meningitis can cause…
An increase in the white blood cells, release of toxic factors, necrosis of tissue, edema which leads to ICP, increased permeability of the blood brain barrier, low glucose levels, increased protein, increased amount of neutrophils, decreased blood flow which leads to ischemia
In M, tuberculosis there is…
Rupture of adjacent tubercle