Meningitis Flashcards
In what area does meningitis occur?
subarachnoid space
What sorts of immune response are packing in the subarachnoid space?
antibody and complement production = no phagocytosis
What are the typical clinical symptoms for meningitis?
fever (but less likely in older individuals)
headache
nuchal rigidity
photophobia
rash
URI symotoms
nausea
vomiting
maybe seizures and altered mental status
What test can be used to differentiate between bacterial and viral (and other) types of meningitis?
CSF analysis - WBC
bacteria will have more PMNs
viral will have more lymphocytes
both will have elevated protein, but bacterial will have DECREASED GLUCOSE
Is aseptic meningitis syndrome usually viral or bacterial?
viral - can also be noninfectious like with some drugs
What is the treatment for aseptic meningitis syndrome?
supportive therapy - most recover on their own but it can be fatal in the neonatal period
Do you need to do PCR confirmation of the organism in aseptic meningitis?
not really
What group of viruses are the vast magority of viral meningitis cases associated with?
enteroviruses
What are some examples of enteroviruses?
coxscadkieivruses
echoviruses
human enteroviruses 68-71
Besides enteroviruses, what are some viruses that have been associated with viral meningitis?
HSV 2
HIV
VZV
EBV
Arthropod-born viruses
Lymphocytic choriomenginitis virus
What is the risk factor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus?
exposure to rodents
What type of viruses are enteroviruses?
picornaviruses
small
single stranded + sense RNA
icosahedral
naked
How are enteroviruses transmitted? WHen in the year?
fecal oral
usually late summer and fall
Which has more neck stiffness, viral or bacterial meningitis?
bacterial
Which has a more acute onset, viral or bacterial meningitis?
bacterial
What is the go-to drug for bacterial meningitis empiric treatment?
ceftriazone (3rd generation cephalosporin)
What drug should you add if MRS or resistant strep?
HSV?
Pseudomonas or AIDS?
Listeria?
MRSA = vanco
HSV = acyclovir
Pseudomonas = cefepime
Listeria = ampicillin
What is the concern with using Ceftraxone? Why is it utilized for CNS infections>
It’s broad spectrum, so the issue is C. diff, but bacterial meningitis is life threatening, so it’s worth it
Particulalry useful in the CNS because it has less of an inhibitory effect on GABA release than other beta-lactams, so the risk of seizure is lower
What is the pimarily mechanism of action for ceftriaxone?
It blocks the transpeptidation of peptidoglycan, thus inhibiting cell wall synthesis
binds to the penicillin binding proteins on transpeptidase
What is the main mechanism of action for vancomycin?
blocks the translygosylation of peptidoglyan by binding to NAM and NAG - cell wall inhibitor
What is the spectrum for ceftriaxone? How does resistance develop?
It’s used for streptococci and more serious gram negative infections
can cross the blood brain barrier
Resistance thorugh beta-lactamases and alteration of the PBP binding site
What are the three most common bacteria causing meningitis? For adults? FOr 11-12 yr olds?
Streptococcus pneumonia (adults)
Neisseria meningiditis (11-17 yr olds)
Haemophilus influenza type B
Where does the initial bacterial infection with H. influenza, N. meningiditis, or S. pneumonia occur?
typically in the nasopharynx
What are the 5 main virulence factors that play importnant roles in bacterial meningitis?
the capsule (neisseria, haemophilus and streptococcus)
IgA protease (Neisseria, Haemophilus, strep)
Pili for adhesion (neisseria an dhaemophilus)
Endotoxin (neisseria and haemophilus)
Outer membrane proteins (Neisseris and Haemophilus)