Meningitis Organism

Question 1

What type of organism is Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Answer 1

Gram +ve diplococci

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial meningitis.

Question 2

What type of organism is Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer 2

Gram -ve diplococci

Neisseria meningitidis is associated with meningococcal disease and can cause outbreaks.

Question 3

What type of organism is Staphylococcus aureus?

Answer 3

Gram +ve cocci in grape-like clusters, Coagulase and Catalase positive

Staphylococcus aureus can cause a variety of infections, including meningitis.

Question 4

What type of organism is Listeria monocytogenes?

Answer 4

Gram +ve bacilli

Listeria monocytogenes is a significant cause of meningitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Question 5

What type of organism is H. influenza?

Answer 5

Gram -ve coccobacilli

H. influenzae can cause meningitis, particularly in children.

Question 6

What does turbid (or purulent) CSF without a rash suggest?

Answer 6

Think Streptococcus pneumoniae

This presentation is typical for meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Question 7

What does turbid (or purulent) CSF with a rash suggest?

Answer 7

Think Neisseria meningitidis

The presence of a rash is a classic sign associated with meningococcal meningitis.

Question 8

CSF finding in bacterial meningitis?

Answer 8

♦ In Bacterial meningitis, the bacteria eat glucose → Low glucose
+ rapidly destroy tissues → High Protein. + (↑ Neutrophi

Question 9

♦ In Viral Meningitis,?

Answer 9

♦ In Viral Meningitis, the virus does not eat glucose → Normal Glucose
+ slowly destroy tissues → Normal or High protein. + (↑ Lymphocyte

Question 10

♦ Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Answer 10

♦ Mycobacterium Tuberculosis is bacteria and thus the glucose is low.
However, the difference that in ordinary bacterial meningitis, there is ↑
Neutrophils whereas in TB meningitis, there could be lymphocytosis (↑
Lymphocytes)