Neuro Infectious Diseases Flashcards
definition of meningitis
acute inflammation of the meningeal tissues of the brain and spinal cord
etiology of meningitis
infection (lungs or bloodstream) or penetrating wounds
bacteria that causes meningitis
streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
where does meningitis occur in the brain?
in the pia mater, subarachnoid space, and CSF
when does meningitis occur?
Fall/Winter; when people spend a lot of time indoors
what does meningitis usually follow?
otitis or sinusitis
how is meningitis passed?
through droplets
who gets meningitis?
–over 40
–college students
–prisoners
how does meningitis work in the body?
it travels through the blood, crosses the BBB, and infects the meninges
patho of meningitis
–infection of arachnoid mater and CSF
–inflammatory response and pus secretion
–increase in CSF production
–increase in ICP
classic triad of meningitis
–fever
–headache
–stiff neck
other symptoms of meningitis
–N/V
–photophobia
–AMS (drowsines–>coma, seizures)
–skin rash and petechiae (caused by meningococcus)
–positive Kernig sign
–positive Brudzinski sign
positive Kernig sign
resistance to vertical leg extension with other leg lying flat on the bed (making an L shape)
positive Brudzinski sign
neck flexion causes hip/knee flexion; moving chin to chest causes patient to bend legs at the knees
acute bacterial meningitis
–most common form
–high fatality rate (can progress in hours without quick treatment)
–long term effects (seizures, hearing loss, loss of limbs)
acute viral meningitis
–milder form
–no long term effects
treatment for bacterial meningitis
–aggressive antibiotic therapy (IV, multiple drugs)
–steroid therapy
prophylaxis for meningitis
vaccines
examples of drugs used to treat meningitis
–ceftriaxone
–vancomycin
–acyclovir
why is acyclovir used to treat meningitis?
used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy; usually d/c after CSF comes back clean for certain bacteria
why is vanc used to treat meningitis?
to combat methicillin resistant strains
definition of encephalitis
acute inflammation of the brain
etiology of encephalitis
viral (West Nile, measles, chicken pox, mumps, HSV-1)
symptoms of encephalitis
–signs appear on day 2 or 3 of infection
–range from mild changes in mental status to coma
–fever
–headache
–N/V
–CNS changes (seizures)
–personality changes
–epilepsy
–fatigue
–hormone problems
–cognitive problems
pharm for viral encephalitis goals
–acyclovir (HSV)
–reduces mortality
–does not reduce neuro complications
pharm for seizure disorder with encephalitis
antiseizure medication (Keppra); due to increased ICP
definition of brain abscess
accumulation of pus within the brain tissue
etiology of brain abscess
–local or systemic infection
–most commonly from ear, tooth, mastoid, or sinus infection
major culprits causing brain abscesses
streptococci or staphylococcus aureus
symptoms of brain abscesses
–headache
–fever
–N/V
–signs of increased ICP (drowsiness, confusion, seizures)
–focal symptoms may reflect area of abscess (temporal lobe = visual field defects)
