Meningitis Flashcards
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in neonates?
Group B streptococci, E. Coli and Listeria monocytogenes
What is meningitis? What three layers consist of the meninges? What are leptomeninges?
Inflammation of the leptomeninges (dura, arachnoid and pia) thwt lie between brain and skull. Pia and arachnoid together are leptomeninges.
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in children and teenagers?
N. Meningitidis
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in adults and elderly?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in Nonvaccinated infants?
H influenza
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in children and is transmitted in fecal oral fashion?
Coxsackie virus
What infectious agents commonly cause meningitis in immunocompromised individuals?
Fungi
What are the classic symptoms of meningitis?
Triad of headache, nuchal rigidity and fever. Photophobia, vomiting and altered mental status may also be present.
When performing lumbar puncture to diagnose meningitis, where is the needle placed? What layers are passed?
Performed by placing a needle between L4 and L5 at the level of the iliac crest. Spinal cords end at L2, but subarachnoid space and cauda equina continue to S2. Layers crossed include skin, ligaments, epidural space, dura and arachnoid.
What are CSF findings in bacterial meningitis?
Neutrophils with low CSF glucose, gram stain and culture can identify the organism
What are CSF findings in viral meningitis?
Lymphocytes with normal CSF glucose
What are CSF findings in fungal meningitis?
Lymphocytes with low CSF glucose
What complications are seen with bacterial meningitis?
Death from herniation secondary to cerebral edema
Hydrocephalus, hearing loss, and seizures - sequlae related to fibrosis
