Microbiology

Question 1

What is meant by meningismus?

Answer 1

Headache
Neck stiffness
Photophobia

Question 2

Which antibiotic should be added to meninigitis treatment if listeria is suspected?

Answer 2

IV Ampicillin/amoxicillin (co-trimoxazole can be used in penicillin allergic)

Question 3

What is the empiric antibiotic therapy for meningitis?

Answer 3

IV ceftriaxone 2g bd

Question 4

Which antibiotic should be added to meninigitis treatment if patient is over 55 years old?

Answer 4

IV ampcicilln/amoxicillin 2g qds

Question 5

When should patients be given steroids if bacterial meningitis is suspected?

Answer 5

10mg IV dexamethasome should be given to all patients 15-20 minutes before or with the first dose of antibiotics and then every 6hrs for 4 days

Question 6

When should steroids not be given for bacterial meningitis?

Answer 6

post-surgical meningitis
severely immunocompromised
meningococcal 
septic shock
those hypersensitive to steroids

Question 7

What therapy is given to those who have been in touch with someone diagnoses with meningitis as contact prophylaxis ?

Answer 7

600mg rifampicin orally 12hrly for 4 doses.

Warn about reduced efficacy of OCP, staining of contact lenses and red colouration of urine.