Microbiology session Flashcards
What is the most common route of infection for meningitis and what is an example of this?
The ears e.g. otitis media
What is meningitis?
An infection of the meninges (the protective layers that surround the brain).
Usually inflammation in the context of infection.
Apart from the ears, what are other routes of infection for meningitis?
Nasopharynx
Parameningeal e.g. sinusitis
Haematogenous e.g. infective endocarditis
What is acute pyogenic meningitis?
Pyogenic means it forms pus so bacterial meningitis
What is aseptic meningitis?
Aseptic meningitis is the umbrella term for meningitis that comes back negative on culture.
Usually includes: viral and non-infectious meningitis.
What are the main triad of symptoms for meningitis?
Fever
Neck stiffness
Headache
What other symptoms can be associated with meningitis?
Photophobia
Vomiting
Altered consciousness
Sudden onset
What are the 2 signs that may be seen in meningitis?
Kernig’s sign
Brudzinski’s sign
What is Kernig’s sign?
Knee is flexed to 90 degrees
Hip is flexed to 90 degrees
Extension of the knee is painful or limited in extension
What is Brudzinski’s sign?
When lying down, passive flexion of the neck elicits flexion of the hips and knees.
What are features of meningococcal speticaemia?
Non-blanching, petechial rash
Purpuric
What is the pathology of pyogenic meninigitis?
The pia-arachnoid layer is congested with a thick layer of suppurative exudate (pus) that covers the leptomeninges (inner 2 meninges)
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in neonates?
Listeria monocytogenes
Group B strep
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in unvaccinated kids?
H.influenzae
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in ages 10-21?
Neisseria meningitidis
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in ages 21-64?
Strep. pneumoniae
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in ages 65+?
Strep. pneumoniae
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis in immunocomprimised?
Listeria.monocytogenes
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis with head trauma?
Staph.aureus
What is the organism for bacterial (pyogenic) meningitis with cribriform plate fracture?
Strep.pneumoniae
What complications can occur from bacterial meningitis?
Sensorineural hearing loss
Limb loss
Blindness
Cerebral palsy
What is the most common type of aseptic meningitis?
Viral meningitis
What are risk factors for viral meningitis?
Late summer/autumn
Travel
What are the viruses that can cause viral meningitis?
enterovirus
coxsackie
mumps
HSV
VZV
How is viral meningitis diagnosed?
stool PCR + culture
throat swab
LP PCR
HIV
What is typical treatment for viral meningitis?
Supportive treatment (the cause is usually enterovirus which includes ECHO virus which is self-limiting hence the reason why it is supportive treatment).
What are the risk factors for fungal meningitis?
Immunocompromised, HIV
What is the underlying causative organism for fungal meningitis?
Cryptococcus neoformans (an encapsulated yeast)
What are non-infectious causes of meningitis?
Behcet’s syndrome
Contrast
Carcinoma
Sarcoidosis
Vasculitis
Dural venous sinus thrombosis
Migraine
Drugs eg NSAID, sulfas, IVIg, co-trim
What is the characteristic CSF feature that would point to fungal meningitis?
Indian ink stain
Treatment for fungal meningitis?
IV amphotericin B or flucytosine
Can a lumbar puncture be bacteria -ve if the patient has already been given antibiotics?
Yes
When is a lumbar puncture contraindicated?
Lumbar puncture contraindicated if patient has raised ICP (intracranial pressure).
This is because it could cause shunting
When should a CT be carried out instead of a lumbar puncture for interpreting meningitis?
Papilloedema
GCS <13
Hx of CNS disease
Seizure /focal neuro deficit
Stroke
Immunocompromised
Treatment for bacterial meningitis?
Antibiotic + steroid
(particularly: ceftriaxone and dexamethasone)
Which steroid is usually given in bacterial meningitis?
Dexamethasone
When is dexamethasone started after administering antibiotics?
Immediately or 15 mins after starting antibiotics.
Why is dexamethasone given for bacterial meningitis?
Reduce cerebral oedema
What are contraindications to dexamethasone in bacterial meningitis?
Immunocompromised
Septic shock
Meningococcal (N. meningitidis)
Listeria
Antibiotics used for bacterial meningitis?
1st IV ceftriaxone
Pen allergy: IV chloramphenicol + vanc
Listeria: IV amoxicillin
Travel: IV vancomycin
Treatment for viral meningitis?
Usually supportive
Treatment for fungal meningitis?
IV amphotericin B or flucytosine
What is encephalitis?
An infection of the brain parenchyma
What is the aetiology (cause) of encephalitis?
VZV (varicella zoster virus)
HSV - in older patients
What is the typical onset for encephalitis?
Insidious onset (10 days)
What are the symptoms of encephalitis?
Psychosis & confusion
Seizures
Fever
Neck stiffness
Photophobia
Headache
Partial paralysis
Speech disturbance
What are the main investigations for encephalitis?
LP PCR, EEG, MRI
What is the typical MRI appearance for encephalitis?
Bright white (hyperdense), Bilateral temporal lobe involvement.
Treatment for encephalitis?
IV aciclovir
What is Guillian Barre syndrome?
Post infection (up to 4 weeks), acute autoimmune demyelinating neuropathy.
What is the aetiology of Guillian Barré syndrome?
Previous food poisoning
Campylobacter
CMV
EBV
Underlying pathology of Guillian Barre syndrome?
B cells secrete antibodies that attack pathogens, however the antigen on pathogens matches those on the myelin sheath
What are the signs of Guillian Barre syndrome?
Progressive paralysis
Ascending weakness
Pain
Investigations for Guillian Barre syndrome?
nerve conduction studies, LP, FEV1/FVC ratio (spirometry)
Complications of Guillian Barre syndrome?
Respiratory failure
Cardiac arrhythmia
What is treatment for Guillian Barre syndrome?
Ig infusion
Plasma exchange
What is Botulism?
A rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves.