Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

MicroPath > CNS infections and meningitis > Flashcards

CNS infections and meningitis Flashcards

1
Q
  1. What are the routes of entry into the CNS?
A

Haematogenous (MOST COMMON)
Direct implantation
Local extension
PNS into CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q
  1. What is aseptic meningitis?
A

Meningitis that is caused by viruses and is not purulent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q
  1. What can neurological damage be caused by in meningitis?
A

Direct bacterial toxicity
Indirect inflammatory response, cytokine release and oedema
Shock, seizures and cerebral hypoperfusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q
  1. What are the three types of meningitis?
A

Acute (hours to days)
Chronic (days to weeks)
Aseptic (caused by viruses so there is no pus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q
  1. Name three organisms that cause acute meningitis.
A

Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q
  1. How many serotypes of N. meningitidis are there?
A

3 – A, B and C

NOTE: the meningitis vaccine is for meningitis C (although there is one available for meningitis B)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q
  1. List some other, rarer bacterial causes of acute meningitis.
A

Listeria monocytogenes
Group B Streptococcus
Escherichia coli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q
  1. How long does N. meningitidis take to cause infection?
A

< 10 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q
  1. What are the four processes that occur in septicaemia?
A

Capillary leak – albumin and other plasma proteins lead to hypovolaemia
Coagulopathy – leads to bleeding and thrombosis, endothelial injury results in platelet release reactions, the protein C pathway and plasma anticoagulants are affected
Metabolic derangement – particularly acidosis
Myocardial failure – and multi-organ failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q
  1. List some complications of TB meningitis.
A

Tuberculous granulomas
Tuberculous abscesses
Cerebritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q
  1. What is a typical MRI feature of TB meningitis?
A

Leptomeningeal enhancement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q
  1. What are the most common causative organisms in aseptic meningitis?
A

Coxsackie group B viruses

Echoviruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q
  1. Which age group is susceptible to aseptic meningitis?
A

< 1 year

NOTE: normally self-resolving after 1-2 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q
  1. How is encephalitis transmitted?
A

Haematogenous (either person-to-person or through vectors such as mosquitoes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
  1. List some viruses that cause encephalitis.
A

Mumps
Measles
Enteroviruses
Herpes viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  1. What is becoming a leading cause of encephalitis worldwide?
A

West Nile virus

17
Q
  1. Which bacterium is associated with causing encephalitis?
A

Listeria monocytogenes

18
Q
  1. Name two types of amoeba that cause encephalitis.
A

Naegleria fowleri

Acanthamoeba species and Balamuthia mandrillaris

19
Q
  1. What is toxoplasmosis and how is it spread?
A

Obligate intracellular parasite

Spread via oral, transplacental or organ transplant route

20
Q
  1. List some organisms that can cause brain abscesses.
A 
Staphylococci
Streptococci
Gram-negative organisms (mainly in neonates)
TB 
Actinomyces and Nocardia species
21
Q
  1. Name a common spinal infection and how does it spread?
A

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis

direct spinal trauma

22
Q
  1. What are some long-term consequences of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis?
A

Permanent neurologic defects
Significant spinal deformity
Death

23
Q
  1. List some risk factors for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis.
A 
Age 
IVDU 
Long-term systemic steroids 
Diabetes mellitus 
Organ transplantation 
Cancer 
Malnutrition
24
Q
  1. List some other useful tests for suspected meningitis.
A 
Blood culture 
Throat swab
Blood PCR 
Sputum culture 
Urine culture
25
Q
  1. What studies can be done with CSF?
A 
Colour/clarity
Cell counts 
Chemistry (protein and glucose)
Stains (Gram, auramine, India Ink etc.)
Cultures 
PCR
26
Q
  1. Describe the typical CSF analysis results of:
    a. Bacterial meningitis

b. Aseptic meningitis
c. Tuberculous meningitis

A 
a.	Bacterial meningitis
Turbid
High polymorphs
High protein 
Low glucose
b.	Aseptic meningitis 
Clear 
High lymphocytes 
High protein 
Normal glucose 
c.	Tuberculous meningitis
Clear 
High lymphocytes 
High protein 
Low glucose
27
Q
  1. Describe the Gram-stain and microscopic appearance of:
    a. S. pneumoniae
    b. N. meningitidis
    c. L. monocytogenes
    d. TB
    e. Cryptococcus
A

a. S. pneumoniae
Gram-positive alpha-haemolytic diplococci
b. N. meningitidis
Gram-negative non-haemolytic diplococci
c. L. monocytogenes
Gram-positive rods
d. TB
Stains positively with Ziehl-Neelsen (red and blue)
e. Cryptococcus
Stains positively with India ink (appears like an orbit – yeast in the middle with a capsule around the outside)

28
Q
  1. What is another key clinical feature of Cryptococcal meningitis?
A

High opening pressure

29
Q
  1. What is the generic therapy used in meningitis?
A

Ceftriaxone 2 g IV BD
If > 50 years or immunocompromised = amoxicillin 2 g IV 4 hourly
NOTE: this is because ceftriaxone does NOT cover Listeria

30
Q
  1. What is the generic therapy used in meningo-encephalitis?
A

Aciclovir 10 mg/kg IV TDS
Ceftriaxone 2 g IV BD
If > 50 years or immunocompromised = amoxicillin 2 g IV 4 hourly

31
Q
  1. Name the specific therapy for meningitis caused by:
    a. S. pneumoniae
    b. N. meningitidis
    c. H. influenzae
    d. Group B Streptococcus
    e. Listeria
    f. Gram-negative bacilli
    g. Pseudomonas
A 
a.	S. pneumoniae
Pen G 18-24 mu/day
b.	N. meningitidis
Ceftriaxone 4 g/day
c.	H. influenzae
Cefotaxime 12 g/day
d.	Group B Streptococcus
Pen G 18-24 mu/day
e.	Listeria
Ampicillin 12 g/day
f.	Gram-negative bacilli
Cefotaxime 12 g/day
g.	Pseudomonas
Meropenem 6 g/day

MicroPath (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions