Neurology - Infections Flashcards
What is Herpes simplex encephalitis?
Infection by herpes simplex virus that affects the temporal lobes.
Features of herpes simplex encephalitis.
- fever
- headache
- psychiatric symptoms
- seizures
- vomiting
- aphasia
Aetiology of herpes simplex encephalitis.
HSV-1 infecting temporal and inferior frontal lobes.
Diagnostic workup for herpes simplex encephalitis.
- CSF (?lymphocytosis, elevated protein)
- PCR (?HSV)
- CT (medial temporal and inferior frontal changes)
- EEG changes
Treatment of herpes simplex encephalitits.
Early IV aciclovir.
Left untreated mortality ~80%.
Species of malaria.
- Plasmodium falciparum (most common)
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium malariea
Protective factors against malaria.
- sickle cell trait
- G6PD deficiency
- HLA-B53
- absence of Duffy antigens
Presentation of falciparum malaria.
- feveer (cyclical)
- n+v
- splenomegaly
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
- cough
- generalised body aches
- headache
- dizziness
- thrombocytopenia
- AKI
Complications of falciparum malaria.
- cerebral malaria (seizures, coma)
- acute renal failure
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- hypoglycaemia
- DIC
Management of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
Artesunate
plus
Mefloquine.
Features of severe falciparum malaria.
- parasitaemia >2%
- hypoglycaemia
- acidosis
- temperature >38°C
- severe anaemia
- acute complications
Management of severe falciparum malaria.
- IV artesunate
- exchange transfusion (parasite count >10%)
Haemodynamic instability usually indicates coexistant bacterial septicaemia; malaria rarely causes haemodynamic collapse.
Most common causes of meningitis.
0-3 months old.
- GBS
- E. coli
- Listeria monocytogenes
Most common causes of meningitis.
3 months - 6 years old.
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
Most common causes of meningitis.
6-60 years old.
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
Most common causes of meningitis.
> 60 years
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Listeria monocytogenes
Most common causes of meningitis.
Immunocompromised.
Listeria monocytogenes