Microbiology 5 - CNS infections and meningitis Flashcards
Which antibiotic should be used first line in meningitis?
Ceftriaxone
Is listeria meningitis is suspected, what antibiotic therapy should be used?
Ceftriaxone plus amoxicillin
Which pathogen is most likely to be the cause in myelitis?
Poliovirus
What is myelitis?
Inflammation of the spinal cord
Recall the 3 most likely causative organisms in acute meningitis, and the most susceptible demographic of patient to each
N. meningitidis = young
S. pneumoniae = elderly (so vaccine at 65 years)
H. influenzae = those who haven’t had HiB vaccine
What is the most commonn cause of meningitis in neonates?
Group B strep
What is the most likely causative organism in chronic meningitis?
TB
What is the most likely causative organism in aseptic meningitis?
Coxsackie virus
Describe the rash produced by meningococcal meningitis
Non-blanching purpuric rash
What is the most likely viral cause of encephalitis in the UK and worldwide?
UK: HSV
Worldwide: WNV
Recall 3 possible routes of infection that may cause a brain abscess
Direct expansion from
- otitis media
- mastoiditis
- paranasal sinusitis
What is the most common type of spinal vertebral infection?
Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis
What is the most common cause of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis?
Infective endocarditis - staph/ strep can be ‘flicked off’ the valve
What is the first investigation to do in suspected meningitis?
Blood cultures
Recall the stains used in CSF analysis to look for a) bacteria b) TB and c) fungi
a) gram stain
b) auramine stain
c) India ink