Meningitis Flashcards
Which abx targets Listeria monocytogenes?
Ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicilin
When is lumbar puncture contraindicated?
Increased intracranial pressure, brain shift, infection at lumbar puncture site, rapidly spreading purpura
What are the causes of meningitis?
Infection (bacteria, virus e.g. enterovirus, herpes; fungal), drugs (co-trimoxazole), autoimmune disease
Symptoms of meningitis?
HA, backache, neck stiffness, mental status changes, photophobia
What special symptom is characteristic of Neisseria meningitidis meningitis?
Purpura or petechiae
What are physical signs of meningitis?
Kerning sign, Brudzinki sign, bulging fontane (infants)
Difference between normal, bacterial and viral CSF? (turbidity, WBC, protein, glucose)
Normal: clear, <5 WBC/mm3, protein <0.4g/L, CSF:blood glucose >0.66
Bacterial: turbid, raised WBC >100/mm3 (mainly neutrophils), raised protein >1.5g/L, CSF:blood glucose <0.4 (very low glucose)
Viral: clear, raised WBC >1000/mm3 (mainly lymphocytes), normal to slightly raised protein, normal to slightly low glucose
What are the most likely bacteria to cause meningitis in neonates (<1m)?
Group B strep (strep agalactiae), E coli, Listeria monocytogenes
What are the most likely bacteria to cause meningitis in infants and children (1-23m)?
S pneumo, N meningitidis, grp B strep (strep agalactiae), E coli, H influenzae
What are the most likely bacteria to cause meningitis in children and adults (2-50y)?
S pneumo, N meningitidis
What are the most likely bacteria to cause meningitis in adults (>50y)?
S pneumo, N meningitidis, L monocytogenes, aerobic gram -ve (E coli, Klebsiella)
Where is Listeria monocytogenes usually found?
Moist env, soil, water, foods (even in fridge like cold deli meats, unpasteurised dairy products)
When to start empiric abx for meningitis?
Within 1h
Empiric treatment for meningitis in neonates?
Ceftriaxone + ampicillin (listeria)
(ceftriaxone can only be used for PMA≥41w or <28d & no hyperbilirubinemia)
Empiric treatment for meningitis in children and adults (1m-50y)?
Ceftriaxone + vancomycin (for penicillin & cephalosporin resistant species)