Microbiology - bacterial meningitis Flashcards
Classic symptoms of meningitis
Fever Headache Stiff neck (nuchal rigidity) Photophobia
Symptoms of pediatric meningitis
Fever w/ cold hands and feet Refusing food or vomiting Fretful - dislike being handled Pale blotchy skin Blank staring affect Drowsy Stiff neck high pitched crying
Describe bacteriology Neisseria meningitidis: Gram stain (+/-) Morphology (rod / cocci) intracellular or extracellular Metabolism (aerobe, anaerobe, facultative) Encapsulated or unencapsulated Oxidase/Catylase reactions Fermentation (glucose/maltose/sucrose/lactose) Growth/agar type
Gram negative diplococci facultative intracellular Encapsulated strains are pathogenic (nonencapsulated strains are nonpathogenic) Oxidase-positive, catalyse positive Ferments glucose and maltose, not sucrose or lactose Growth inhibited by trace metals and fatty acids: grows on chocolate agar not blood agar Grows on Thayer-Martin medium
Transmission of Neisseria meningitidis:
airborne droplets
Reseviour/colonization for Neisseria meningitidis:
Colonizes nasopharynx (only resevior) - carriers are asymtomatic
What enhances Neisseria meningitidis spread and colonization?
concomitant upper respiratory viral infections
T/F Infection of Neisseria meningitidis often resolves w/o symptoms
true
What is immune mechanism against Neisseria meningitidis?
IgG-enhanced complement and neutrophils Defeat of infection leaves lifelong immunity to infecting strain
Can immunity be passed from mother to child?
Yes By 20 many have natural immunity; immune mothers passively immunize newborns
What is it called if Neisseria meningitidis enters bloodstream?
meningococcemia / meningococcal septicaemia
If Neisseria meningitidis enters bloodstream where does it go? What pathology is caused by colonization of those sites?
Joints: septic arthritis Meninges: meningitis, fatal if untreated, still may kill (
What is most common microorganism that causes meningitis in 2-18yr age range?
Neisseria meningitidis
Major virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis:
IgA Protease: cleaves IgA, reduces defense of mucus membrane Polysaccharide capsule (resists phagocytosis) Endotoxin LOS (component of Gram(-) cell wall, causes fever, shock) *lipooligosaccharide (“LOS”) refers to low-molecular-weight bacterial lipopolysaccharides
What differentiates N. meningitidis vs N. gonorrhoeae What are 3 similarities?
Unlike N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis has capsule as a virulence factor and can be part of normal flora as non-virulent strain. Only Meningococci ferment Maltose (meningitidis begins with M) Both: grow in Thayer-Martin medium have IgA protease as a virulence factor cause septic arthritis as a complication
What is an associated pathology of N. meningitidis infection?
5-15% develop 50%-fatal Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome: massive, usually bilateral, hemorrhage into the adrenal glands caused by fulminant meningococcemia Associated with high fever, shock, widespread purpura, results in adrenal insufficiency, and disseminated intravascular coagulation
Which virulance factor of N. meningitidis is responsible for septic shock and hemmorage?
LOS endotoxin - results in destruction of RBCs
Does a vaccine exist for N. meningitidis?
yes - Ab to capsule is protective
What predisposes infection with N. meningitidis?
Deficiency in late-acting complement C5-C9 Immuno-supressed state
Mechanism of bacterial destruction from late-acting complement cascade C5-C9
formation of membrane-attack complex pore
What are common clinical features of meningococcemia / meningococcal septicaemia
Fever joint pain petechial skin rash (spreads from trunk outward)
Clinical course of meningococcemia / meningococcal septicaemia
usually progresses rapidly (hourly spreading once invades bloodstream) occasionally progresses over several weeks as chronic infection
What is latex agglutination test ?
detects capsule polysaccharide in CSF