Common causes of meningitis

Question 1

Newborn (0-6 months)

Answer 1

• GBS
• E coli
• Listeria

Question 2

Children (6 months - 6 years)

Answer 2

• S pneumoniae
• N meningitidis
• H influenzae (type B)
• Enteroviruses

Question 3

6 years - 60 years

Answer 3

• S pneumoniae
• N meningitidis (#1 in teens)
• Enteroviruses
• HSV

Question 4

> 60 years

Answer 4

• S pneumoniae
• Gram (-) rods
• Listeria

Question 5

Empirical treatment

Answer 5

Ceftriaxone and vancomycin, add ampicillin if Listeria is suspected

Question 6

Viral causes of meningitis

Answer 6

• Enteroviruses (esp Coxsackievirus)
• HSV2 (remember, HSV1 is usually associated with encephalitis)
• HIV (usually Cryptococcus)
• West Nile virus (also causes encephalitis)