Meningitidis

Question 1

What is meningitis?

Answer 1

• Inflammation of the meninges

Question 2

What is the pathogen of meningitis?

Answer 2

• Neisseria meningitidis

* Gram negative diplococcus

Question 3

What are the different types of meningitis?

Answer 3

• Bacteria: neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus pneumoniae
• Virus: Herpes
• Fungi: Cryptococcus

Question 4

Who is at risk of meningitis? I

Answer 4

• Young children
• Adolescents
• Immunocompromised

Question 5

How is meningitis spread?

Answer 5

• Sharing respiratory and throat secretions

Question 6

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 6

• Sudden fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Photophobia
• Vomiting
• Irritable
• Reduced consciousness

Question 7

What are the tests for meningitis?

Answer 7

• CSF
-Bacterial infection: cloudy + inc. protein, WCC + dec. glucose
-Viral infection: clear + inc. lymphocytes, protein + dec. glucose
• PCR
• Gram stain
• Culture

Question 8

What is the treatment for meningitis?

Answer 8

• IV ceftriaxone

Question 9

What are the complications for meningitis?

Answer 9

• Meningococcal septicaemia

* TB meningitis

Question 10

What does meningococcal septicaemia cause?

Answer 10

• Fever
• Sepsis
• DIC - blood clotting disorder - leads to uncontrolled bleeding
• Rash - petechiae, ecchymosis, necrosis

Question 11

What does TB meningitis cause?

Answer 11

• Increased T cells

* Mantoux test