Meningitis and Encephalitis Flashcards
Inflammation/infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
Meningitis
Acute inflammation/infection of brain parenchyma
Encephalitis
Gram + cocci
Streptococcus pneumonia
Gram - coccobacilli
Haemophilus influenzae
Gram - cocci
Neisseria meningitidis
Gram - bacilli
Gram negative bacteria (E.coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
Gram + bacilli
Listeria monocytogenes
Risk factors for Meningitis
Sickle cell anemia Asplenic status Cochlear implants Head trauma Immunosuppression Mastoiditis, URT infection, Otitis media Exposure to cigarette smoke Alcoholism
Incidence trend
Decreasing due to introduction of vaccines
Shift from young to adult population due to vaccines
1986: 4.9 cases per 100,000
1998: 2 cases per 100,000
2007: 1.4 cases per 100,000
Age Distribution
18 yrs: 20.8, 51.5
Vaccines
Haemophilis influenza Type B (more virulent form; cause of epiglottitis)
S. pneumoniae
N. meningitidis
Sequelae
MC after S. pneumo infections ~30% develop neuro sequelae Sensorineural hearing loss Hydrocephalus Focal sensory motor defects Seizure disorder Death 2-30%, avg 20%
Adheres to the skull
Dura mater
Lies between the dural and pia maters
Arachnoid mater
Lies directly over brain tissue
Pia mater
Between arachnoid and pia mater; This becomes inflammed w/meningitis
Subarachnoid space
-CSF flows thru this space
CSF flows thru this space
Subarachnoid space
Where and how is CSF produced
Largely made by the choroid plexus in the lateral and fourth ventricle
CSF flow
Unidirectionally, down the spinal cord
CSF Amounts
Differ by age:
Infants: 40-60ml
Children: 60-100ml
Adults: 110-160ml
Important for determining different drug concentrations in the CSF for Tx
Injecting drugs into the CSF cavity
Intrathecal
Injecting drugs into ventricles
Intraventricular (Increased risk of increased endotoxin release into the CNS–not for meningitis tx)
MC for neurosurgery or shunt infections
Factors that INCREASE penetration of abx into the CSF
Meningeal inflammation Low molecular weight medication Lipid soluble compounds (lipid bilayer) Compounds that remain unionized at physiologic pH Low protein bound medications
Medications with therapeutic levels in CSF +/- Inflammatoin
Sulfonamides/Trimethoprim
Chloramphenicol (misc abx, not used often)
Rifampin
Metronidazole
Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethionamide (for TB)
Medications with therapeutic levels WITH inflammed meninges
B LACTAMS: Penicillin G Nafcillin Cefotaxime Ceftriaxone Ceftazidime Imipenem Meropenem Vancomycin Linezolid - VRE Aztreonam - Gram - specialist Ciprofloxacin Fluconazole - Antifungal Ganciclovir - Antiviral Acyclovir - Antiviral
Medications with NON-Therapeutic levels in CSF +/- inflammation
Aminoglycosides First generation cephalosporins Second generation cephalosporins (Except cefuroxime) Clindamycin Amphotericin - Antifungal
Pathophysiology of Bacterial Meningitis
Sources of Infection
Contiguous spread: Sinusitis, otitis media, birth defects
Hematogenous: Bacteremia seeding meninges
Direct inoculatoin: Trauma, neurosurgical comps
Reactivation of latent disease: HSV, TB
CNS response to infection
Contact w/bacterial cell wall components triggers cytokine release (TNF alpha, IL-1, PAF); Platelet activating factor (PAF) triggers clotting cascade, forming microthrombi; Cytokine cascade stimulated vasodilation and vascular permeability; Compromised BBB allows entry of neutrophils and other blood components —>CEREBRAL EDEMA -> Increased ICP –> Decreased cerebral blood flow –> Signs/sxs of meningitis AND Ischemic and direct tissue damage
Signs/Sxs of Meningitis
HA, fever, neck stiffness, altered mental status, seizures, abnormal CSF findings
[Adults >65 have more muted signs/sxs]
Diagnostic tests for meningitis
Lumbar puncture: CSF cell count, chemistries, gram stain, culture
Blood culture
Rapid diagnostic methods: Latex fixation, enzyme immunoassay, PCR
CSF Findings
NORMAL: BACTERIAL MENINGITIS
WBC 80
Protein <60% SBG)
Gram stain 75-90%+