Meningitis Flashcards
What are the leptomeninges, and why are they named as such?
Arachnoid and pia–lighter color = lepto
What is the basic definition of meningitis?
Inflammation of the leptomeninges
What are the three most common causes of meningitis in the neonate?
GBS
E.coli
Listeria Monocytogenes
(GEL)
What is the most common cause of meningitis in children and adolescents?
Neisseria Meningitidis
What is the most common cause of meningitis in the adults and elderly?
Strep pneumoniae
What is the most common cause of meningitis in non-vaccinated infants?
H. influenzae
What is the most common viral cause of meningitis?
Coxsackievirus
How does Neisseria enter the meninges?
Through the nasopharynx
What is the classic triad of meningitis?
HA
Neck stiffness
Fever
It is much more common to see photophobia in meningitis, when it is caused by viruses or bacteria?
viruses
What is the classic site for an LP?
L4-L5 interspace
What level does the spinal cord end? Where does the cauda equina end?
L2
S2
What layer of the meninges are NOT pierced with an LP
Pia
PMNs + low glucose in CSF = what etiology?
Bacterial
Lymphocytes with normal CSF glucose = what etiology?
Viral
Lymphocytes with low CSF glucose = what etiology?
Fungal
Why are most of the complications of meningitis, associated with bacterial meningitis?
Increased pus causes hydrocephalus, hearing loss, and Szs
What causes hydrocephalus from meningitis?
Fibrosis of pathways of the CSF
What is the normal fraction of glucose in the CSF relative to the serum?
2/3
What causes the hearing loss post meningitis?
Damage to the nerves as they exit the brain
What causes the increased risk of seizures post meningitis?
Scarring of the cortex
