Meningitis Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of meningitis?

A

Inflammation of meninges covering brain/spinal cord.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the most common cause of meningitis?

A

Viral, but crucial to treat as bacterial until proven otherwise due to high mortality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In which age groups is bacterial meningitis most common?

A

Infants, teenagers, young adults.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the causative organisms of bacterial meningitis in neonates (<1 month)?

A

streptococcus agalactiae (group B strep), escherichia coli, streptococcus pneumoniae, listeria monocytogenes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the causative organisms of bacterial meningitis in children and adults (>3 months)?

A

neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is meningococcal meningitis caused by?

A

N. meningitidis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What symptoms are associated with meningococcal sepsis?

A

Non-blanching rash.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What diseases are included under pneumococcal disease?

A

pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What characterizes aseptic meningitis in the CSF?

A

White blood cells, gram -ve stain, no bacterial culture.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What accounts for over half of all cases of meningitis?

A

Viral infections.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

List some viral causative organisms of aseptic meningitis.

A

enteroviruses (e.g. coxsackievirus), herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, HIV, influenza, mumps.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a rare but life-threatening cause of meningitis?

A

Fungal infections, particularly caused by Cryptococcus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are some risk factors for meningitis?

A
  • young age
  • neonatal complications
  • asplenia
  • immunocompromise
  • organ dysfunction
  • smoking
  • overcrowded living environments
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the classic triad of symptoms for meningitis?

A
  • fever
  • neck stiffness
  • altered mental status
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are some early non-specific features of meningitis?

A
  • fever
  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting
  • lethargy
  • myalgia
  • anorexia
  • coryzal symptoms
  • diarrhoea
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are some later, specific features of meningitis?

A
  • bulging fontanelle (infants)
  • neck stiffness (children >1 year)
  • photophobia
  • non-blanching rash (petechiae or purpura)
  • Kernig’s sign
  • Brudzinski’s sign
  • mottled skin, cold hands, and feet
  • altered mental state
  • shock
  • neurological symptoms
17
Q

What is Kernig’s sign?

A

Pain & resistance on passive knee extension with hips fully flexed.

18
Q

What is Brudzinski’s sign?

A

Knees and hips flex on bending head forward.

19
Q

What is the recommended procedure for lumbar puncture in suspected meningitis?

A

Within one hour of hospital arrival, pre-antibiotic treatment if possible.

20
Q

What does CSF analysis show in acute bacterial meningitis?

21
Q

What are some contraindications for lumbar puncture?

A
  • raised ICP
  • shock
  • extensive or spreading purpura
22
Q

What are the aims of management for meningitis?

A
  • supportive treatment
  • treatment of causative organism
  • treatment of complications
23
Q

What urgent treatment should be given for suspected meningococcal sepsis?

A

IV or IM benzylpenicillin.

24
Q

What antibiotic treatment is recommended for infants <3 months old with bacterial meningitis?

A

IV cefotaxime + amoxicillin/ampicillin.

25
Q

What antibiotic treatment is recommended for children >3 months old with bacterial meningitis?

A

IV ceftriaxone + IV dexamethasone.

26
Q

What prophylactic antibiotics should close contacts of a meningitis patient receive?

A

ciprofloxacin or rifampicin.

27
Q

What are some acute complications of bacterial meningitis?

A
  • sepsis
  • septic shock
  • disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • cerebral oedema
  • raised ICP
  • seizures
  • coma
  • SIADH
28
Q

List some common permanent neurological sequelae after bacterial meningitis.

A
  • hearing loss
  • seizures
  • motor deficit
  • cognitive impairment