Microbiology and immunogenetics Flashcards
What is bacterial meningites mode of transmission?
Respiratory droplets
What is the most important virulence factor for all bacterial meningitis causes?
Polysaccharide capsule
What bacteria and aetiology does meningococcus cause?
Aetiology: Meningococcaemia and meningitis
Bacteria: Neisseria meningitides
What tpe of bacteria is Neisseria meningitides?
Gram-negative capsulated diplococci with adjacent sides flattened
What is the most important virulence factor of Neisseria meningitides?
Its polysacharide capsule with antiphagocytic action.
What are the most common serogroups causing meningitis?
A, B, C, Y, W135
What does it mean when we say Neisseria meningitides is gram -ve?
Its cell walls have lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin)
What are the clinical features of Neissera meninitides?
Endotoxin mediated vasculitis
Skin rash
(DIC) Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
What is Neisseria meningitides mode of infection?
It enters the blood stream (meningococcaemia) and than localizes in the meninges to cause meningitis and cerebral oedema
what is pneumococci?
Streptococcus pneumoniae a gram positive diplcocci
What is streptococcus pneumoniae’s most important virulence factor?
its polysaccharide capsule which ic antophagocytic
Who are the individuals at risk of getting infected with streptococcus pneumoniae?
Post-splenectomy
Immunosuppressed
Infants
Enderly
Where is s.pneumoniae ussually found?
In the pharynx of 1/3 of adults mostly endogenous infection
Where is haemophilus influenzae found?
In the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract
What is the haemophilus influenzae bacteria?
causatie agent of influenza, Gram -ve capsulated bacilli
What is the most common anitgenic type to cause bacterial meningitis?
Haemophlus influenza b (Hib)
What are the clinical presentation of meningitis in adults?
Vomiting
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
light aversion
Drowsiness
Joint pain
Fits
What is the mode of infection of neonatal meningitis?
vaginal delivery
What is the most common of neonatal meningitis?
Group B streptococcus (streptococcus agalactia)
E. coli
Listeria monocytogenes
What are the meningitis symptoms in babies?
Fever (hands &feet may also feel cold)
Refusing feeds or vomiting, diarrhoea
High pitched moaning cry or whimpering
Dislike of being handled fretful
Neck retraction with arching neck
Diffcult to wake, lethargic
Pale blottchy complexion
Blank & staring expression, bulging fontanelle
What are the CSF examination tests?
Appearance
Chemical analysis: glucose, protein
Microscopic examination
Gram stain
Culture and sensitvity
Microbial antigen tests e.g. Latex agglutination
PCR
What are the characteristics of bacterial (septic) meningitis?
physically : CSF is cloudy and under tension
Cytologically: High leucocytic count (200-20000ml) with predominant neutrophils
chemically: Reduced glucose level and elevated protein level
What is the CSF profile bacterial meningitis?
increased neutrophils, decreased glucose and increased protein
What is the CSF profile in viral meningitis?
Increased lympohcytes, No glucose, no or increases protein
What is the CSF cryptococcal meningitis?
cells and biochemistry often normal
What are immediate empirical?
Third-generation cephalosprins eg; Ceftriaxone injection
What are the chemoprophylaxis recommended?
The antibiotic recommended is either rifampin for 2 days orally or 1 ceftriaxone injection
What are the available meningitis vaccine?
Conjugate Hib polysaccharide capsular vaccine
Conjugate pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Meningococcal polysacchride vaccine (A,C,Y,W135)
When are children given the meningitis vaccine?
2, 4, 6
When are children given the meningitis vaccine?
2, 4, 6 months
What is an immune priviliged site?
Tissues evolved to be protected to a variable degree from immune respones
How is cns considered to be an immune privilged site?
Lacks classical lymphatic drainage
Scarcity of dendritic cells
DElivery of immune cells and inflammatory mediators into the brain is impaired by the BBB
Lymphoid cells are normally excluded from the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves