Infections of the CNS Flashcards
Bacterial meningitis
Acute, life threatening
Aseptic, viral meningitis
Self limiting
Clinical symptoms of meningitis
Nuchal rigidity, headache, confusion, drowsiness
meningocephalitis
Inflammation of the meninges and brain tissue
Where does seeding of menignties come from?
The blood stream, secondary to bacteria or viremia, directly from trauma, neurosurgery, insturmentaiotn
Who is at greatest risk for bacterial meningitis?
Neonates (under 1yo)
Common agents bacterial meningitis in neonates
Group B strep, listeria monocytogenes, E. coli
What causes bacterial meningitis in children
Streptococcus pneumonia, haemophilia influenza, n. meningitis, S. pneumonia, N. meningitis, H. influenzae
Most common agents of bacterial meningitis in adults
Streptococcus pneumoniea, N. meningitides, L. monocytogenes
GBS in babies
Vaginal carriage rates of 30-40%, less than 1% FT babies carry GBS and develop meningitis
Where do babies get E. coli which causes meningitis?
vaginal canal in birth (preemies and low-weight are at higher risk)
Diagnostic criteria bacterial meningitis
Glucose: <40
Protein: >250
Opening pressure: High
WBC: >1000, <100x10^6
Diagnostic criteria viral meningitis
Glu: Normal
Protein: <100mg
Opening pressure: Normal
WBC: <100x10^6
Diagnostic criteria for fungal meningitis
Glu: <40
Protein: 25-500
Opening pressure: Variable
Predomiance of lymphocytes
What causes fungal meningtitis?
Cryptococcus neoformans, most common when patient is T-cell immunocompromised (lymphoma, AIDS, steroids)
How to dx fungal meningitis?
Latex agglutination by adding to CSF
Enteroviruses that cause meningitis?
Coxsackie A, B echovirus, poliovirus
What is a severe symptom in encephalitis?
ALOC
What can cause encephalitis?
HSV, enteroviruses, arbovirus,
