Exam 5: CNS Infections Flashcards
Types of CNS infections
meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, ventriculitis, subdural empyema, CSF shunt infections
Function of skull, vertbrae
act as a shock absorber for brain and spinal cord
what produces CSF
choroid plexus
Normal CSF composition
- clear
- protein concentration <50
- Glucose concentration 50-66%
- pH of 7.4
- Wbc <5
what are the meninges
protective covering of the brain and spinal cord
3 layers of meninges
dura matter
arachnoid
pia mater
what is meningitis
infection of the subarachnoid space (b/w pia and arachnoid
BBB composition
tightly join capillary endothelial cells that produce tight junctions similar to a lipid bilayer
BBB function
separate blood from brain tissue
BBB and drugs relationship
drugs enter brain tissue by direct passage through capillary endothelial cells
BCSFB composition
consists of tightly fused ependymal cells, which line the ventricular side of the choroid plexus
BCSFB function
separated blood from CSF
ependymal cell function
restrict diffusion of drugs and chemicals into CSF to serve as a barrier to antimicrobial penetration into the CSF
Lipid Solubility and CSF penetration
lipid soluble drugs penetrate brain tissue more readily than hydrophilic drugs
Ionization and CSF penetration
only unionized drugs can diffuse
protein binding and CSF penetration
only free drug can penetrate
molecular weight and CSF penetration
agents with low molecular weight penetrate barrier
degree of meningeal inflammation and CSF penetration
penetration of some drugs into CSF is enhances with inflammation; decreased penetration as healing progresses
Therapeutic CSF concentrations with or without meningeal inflammation (8)
- acyclovir
- chloramphenicol
- fluconazole
- ganciclovir
- linezolid
- metronidazole
- rifampin
- ? FQ
Therapeutic CSF concentrations WITH meningeal inflammation (6)
- penicillins
- 3rd and 4th gen cephs
- aztreonam
- meropenem
- colistin
- vanc
Therapeutic CSF concentrations NOT achieved with or without meningeal inflammation
- AG
- Amp B
- Beta lactamase inhibitors
- 1st and 2nd gen ceph
- Clindamycin
- Tetracycline
Pathogenesis of meningitis
Bacteria gain access into CSF through contiguous spread from a parameningeal focus so pathogens penetrate CSF while draining via CNS veins or eroding through bony structures
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: neonates <1 month
group b strep
e. coli
listeria
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: children 1 mo-4yr
h. flu
s. pneumo
n. meningitidis
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: children, adults >4-29 yrs
n. meningitidis
s. pneumoniae
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: adults 30-50 years
s pneumoniae
n. meningitidis
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: older adult >50 yrs
s pneumo
n mening
gnr
listeria
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: post neurosurgery
s. aureus
gnr
s. epidermidis
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: head trauma
s. aureus
GNR
bacterial meningitis likely causative pathogen: immunocompromised
s pnuemo
n mening
listeria
GNR
what bacteria account for >80% of cases
h. influenzae
n. meningitidis
s. pnuemonae
Bacterial menigitidis clinical signs and symptoms: adult
fever
headache
stiff neck
photophobia
Bacterial menigitidis clinical signs and symptoms: young infants
fever
SZ
Bacterial menigitidis clinical signs and symptoms: elderly
low grade fever
stiff neck
Bacterial menigitidis clinical signs and symptoms: older children
changes in activity level
lethargy
confusion
common clinical presentation of meningococcemia
rash