Common CNS infections Flashcards
What is Meningitis ?
Inflammation if the meninges/subarachnoid space
-characterized by having an abnormal amount of WBC in the CSF
What is Encephalitis?
Infections of the cerebral cortex (brain parenchyma) (infection in the brain)
What is Meningoencephalitis Romboencephalitis?
meningitits + encephalitis (everything is affected) (brain stem + cerebellum) (pons + medulla)
WHOLE BRAIN IS INFECTED
How are the infections classified?
manifestation
etiology
age
Manifestation of the infections can be divided into?
1.Acute=rapid onset of symptoms (hours to days) (early onset)
2. Subacute=slow progression of symptoms (days to weeks)
3. Chronic=very slow progression of symptoms (at least 4 weeks)
Etiology of infections can be divided into?
- Asceptic= viral (coming from not washing hands well)
- Infant= bacterial,viral, parasitic (coming from the mother to the baby)
3.Acute bacterial= present in patients from 1m- to 50 years or more
4.Chronic=bacterial/viral
What are the most etiology agents?
bacteria and viruses
What is the most common site for asceptic infections?
GI tract, respiratory tract
What are the most common infections in asceptic etiology?
Viruses:
EBV(epstein barr virus) ,HIV,CMV(cytomegalovirus), HSV-1(herpes simplex virus)
What are the most common infections in acute bacterial etiology?
Bacterias:
S. pneumoniae
L. monocytogenes
What are the most common infections in infant etiology?
HSV,E.coli, VZV(varicella)
What are the most common infections in chronic etiology?
AIDS
*immunocomprimised patients
*cause personality changes
What is the simple triad of CNS infections symptoms?
- Fever (most common)
- Headache (most common)
- Nuchal rigidity(neck stiffness/painful) (most common)
4.Altered mental status - Vomiting
6.Seizure - Photophobia
8.Focal Neurologic deficits
How is the pathogenesis of CNS infections?
What is an abscess?
collection of purulent material,immune cells, and other material in the brain creating a mass effect
