Meningitis Flashcards

1
Q

Define meningitis

A

Inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and the spinal cord

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2
Q

What is the key epidemiology of meningitis?

A

neonates
Elderly
Immunocompromised are more susceptible

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3
Q

What is the most common cause of meningitis in children?
Gram stain?

A

Streptococcus pneumonia - gram positive lancet shaped diplococci

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4
Q

What causes of meningitis should be considered in neonates?
Gram stain

A

Listeria monocytogenes - gram pos cocco bacillus
Group B strep - gram post chains

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5
Q

What are the common causes of bacterial meningitis?

A

Neissureia meningitis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenza
Listeria monocytogenes
E.coi and GBS -> neonates

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6
Q

What are the common viral causes of meningitis?

A

Enteroviruses
HSV
HIV
Others

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7
Q

What are the rarer causes of meningits?

A

Fungal - in immunocompromised -> cryptococcus neoformans
Non-infeciouts - drugs, autoimmne, malignancy

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8
Q

What are the risk factors for bacterial meningitis?

A

Missed immunisations - meningococcal, Hib or pneumococcal
Reduces/absent spleen
Congenital/acquired complement deficiency
Student in further or higher education - large shared accomodation

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9
Q

How does meningitis typically present?

A

Fever
Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Photophobia (light sensitivity)
Confusion

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10
Q

When should meningococcal disease be considered?

A

Haemorrhagic non-blanching rash lesions >2mm
Rapidly progressive and/or spreading non-blanching or purpuric rash
When combined with signs/symptoms of bacterial meningitis

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11
Q

What are the signs of meningitis in babies and young children?

A

Bulging fontanelle
Reduced feeding
Irritability
Lethargy
Unusual behaviour
Weak, high-pitched or continuous cry

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12
Q

What can indicate advanced/severe meningitis?

A

Seizures
Focal neurological deficits
Signs of raised ICP - papilloedema

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13
Q

What are some key differentials for meningitis?

A

Encephalitis - altered mental status is key
Subarachnoid haemorrhage - sudden, severe headache, N, V, LOC

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14
Q

What are the key bedside investigations for meningitis?

A

Throat swab for meningococcal culture
Sepsis screen
Blood glucose for CSF:serum BM ratio

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15
Q

What are the key blood investigations for meningitis?

A

FBC (assess neutrophils)
Blood cultures
CRP
Meningococcal and pneumococcal PCR

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16
Q

What are the indications for imaging in a meningitis case?

A

Risk for SOL
New focal neurological features - seizures or posturing
Signs of raised ICP
Abnormal pupillary reactions
GCS of 9 or less -> progressive and sustained or rapid fall in LOC.

17
Q

What are some contraindications for lumbar puncture in menigitis?

A

Extensive or rapidly spreading purpura
Infection at the lumbar puncture site
Risk for SOL
Signs of raised ICP - focal neurology, abnormal pupils, GCS 9 or less, fall in consciousness

18
Q

What tests should be done on CSF in a suspected meningitis?

A

Total red and white cell count
Total protein
Glucose
Microscopy
Culture and sensitivities
PCR for relevant pathogens

19
Q

What are the key signs of a bacterial meningitis on a lumbar puncture?

A

CSF is clear or turgic
Main cell type -> polymorphonuclear (neutrophils)
Culture positive
Raised protein
Reduced glucose

20
Q

What are the signs of aseptic (viral) meningitis in lumbar puncture?

A

CSF is clear or slighty turgid
Predominant cell type = lymphocytes
Negative culture
Raised protein
Normal glucose

21
Q

What are the signs of a tuberculous meningitis on lumbar puncture?

A

CSF is clear, turgid with(out) fibrin web
Main cell - lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells
Culture - negative, acid-fast bacilli positive
Protein raised
Glucose reduced

22
Q

What immediate treatment should be given in primary care for suspected meningitis?

A

IM benzylpenicillin/ceftriaxone whilst awaiting ambulance

23
Q

When should antibiotics be given to a patient with meningitis?

A

Within 1 hour of arriving to hospital
Ideally after blood tests and LP

24
Q

What are the typical empirical antibiotics for meningitis?

A

YOunger than 3m - IV amoxicillin + ceftriaxone
Older than 3 months - IV ceftriazone

25
Q

What additional medical treatment outside antibiotics might be needed for meningitis?

A

Over 3m and suspect bacterial -> IV dexamethasone - only continue if pneumococcus or HiB
Analgesia for headache
Antipyretics for fever

26
Q

What is the treatment for close contact of meningitis?

A

Prophylaxis short cour ciprofloxacin