Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis Flashcards
What type of viruses have no lipid membranes
Adenoviruses
What is the classification of aseptic meningitis, with regards to the white cell count and the bacterial culture?
White cell count- >5x106/L in CSF
-ve bacterial culture of the CSF
What are the most common causes of aseptic meningitis?
Viruses, listeria, TB, syphilis, malignancy, autoimmune conditions, drugs
Which age group is viral meningitis common in?
2 peaks of hospital admissions; neonates and 5 yr olds
How does enterovirus enter your body?
Via the GI tract- faecal oral transmission
Causative organisms of viral meningitis
Enterovirus HSV VZV Mumps HIV
Via what paths do viruses invade the CNS?
Via cerebral microvascular endothelial cells
via choroid plexus epithelium
spread along olfactory nerve
What are the 3 symptoms of meningism?
Headache, neck stiffness, photophobia
Apart from meningism, what other symptoms do you get in meningitis?
Fever
Is it easy to distinguish cliniclaly between viral and bacterial meningitis?
No
In infants, meningeal signs may be absent. What should you look for instead?
nuchal rigidity (neck stiffness) bulging anterior frontalle (only if severe intracranial pressure)
Examination sign for meningitis; flex hip and knee to 90, the knee cannot be extended due to hamstring stiffness
Kernig’s sign
Examination for meningitis- flexing the neck causes the hips and knees to flex
Brudzinski’s sign
What should you look for in a CSF specimen, with suspected meningitis?
Microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS)
Protein
Glucose (check blood glucose at the same time)
Viral PCR; enteroviruses, HSV, VZV
What is the opening pressure for bacterial meningitis?
Above normal (200-500)
Is the WBC count higher in viral or bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial
What is the WBC differential in viral meningitis?
Lymphocytic