Meningitis Flashcards
What is meningiits?
Infection of the meninges
What are the common bacterial pathogens causing meningitis?
MOST COMMON = Strep pneumoniae;
Other = Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenza, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Headache, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness.
What are the signs of meningitis?
Fever, neck stiffness, confusion, drowsiness, petechiae, Kernig’s sign
What Ix in suspected meningitis?
FBC, U&E, LFT, coags, B/C, CXR, LP
Should LP in meningitis be done if patient has petechial rash?
No! Not until coags done. Need to exclude DIC as cause of rash.
What are the normal characteristics of CSF?
Neutrophils: 0
Lymphocytes: 0.6
What are the bacterial meningitis characteristics of CSF?
Neutrophils: massively elevated
Lymphocytes: mildly elevated
Protein: >1.0 g/L
Glucose (CSF/serum):
What are the viral meningitis characteristics of CSF?
Neutrophils: Mildly elevated
Lymphocytes: Massively elevated
Protein: 0.4 - 1.0 g/L
Glucose (CSF/serum): Usually normal
What are the tuberculous meningitis characteristics of CSF?
Neutrophils: Mildly elevated
Lymphocytes: massively elevated
Protein: >1.0
Glucose (CSF/serum):
Meningitis Rx?
Empirical ABx commenced immediately: 3rd gen cephalosporin (cefotaxime) + ampicillin in Listeria suspected.
What are the complications of meningitis?
Seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebral venous/saggital sinus thrombosis, neurological sequelae, DIC, multi organ failure, death.
