CNS Infections

Question 1

TB

Answer 1

Subacute/chronic meningitis
Cerebral tuberculous granuloma - rich focus
Colourless CSF
High protein, low glucose, high lymphocytes

Question 2

Leptospira Interrogans

Answer 2

Leptospirosis (Weil's syndrome)
Aerobic spirochaetes
Fever, headache, malaise, photophobia
Meningitis, liver damage and renal failure
Raised WCC
Microscopic agglutination test

Question 3

Neisseria Meningitides

Answer 3

Classic presentation of meningitis
6m-2 years old, University students
Thayer-Martin media
Mx: IM benzylpenicillin, 3rd generation cephalosporin
If <1m, ampicillin + cefoxatime/aminoglycoside

Question 4

Cryptococcus Neoformans

Answer 4

Subacute or chronic meningitis
HIV +ve
India ink staining - yeast cells with halo
Cryptococcal AG test
Arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and encephalopathy

Question 5

Herpes Simplex

Answer 5

Skin-skin contact or maternal transmission
Colourless CSF, high lymphocytes, raised protein and normal glucose
Mollaret’s meningitis = recurrent aseptic meningitis, caused by HSV 1 or 2

Question 6

E.Coli

Answer 6

Meningitis in neonates

Question 7

S.Pneumoniae

Answer 7

Meningitis in adults (most common with Neisseria)

Question 8

Listeria Monocytogenes

Answer 8

Neonates, elderly, immunocompromised

Question 9

Borellia Burgdorferi

Answer 9

Gram -ve, zoonotic spirochaete

Lyme disease, Ixodes tick