Week 221 - Meningitis Flashcards
Week 221
What is the most common cause of meningitis?
Enteroviruses i.e. Echovirus, Coxsackie, Poliovirus, Mumps, Herpes Simplex
Week 221
Herpes Simplex and Varicella zoster can cause which life-threatening condition?
Meningo-encephalitis
Week 221
What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis?
N. Meningitidis. This is a capsulated gram -ve Diplococcus.
This is also what causes the red flag “purpuric rash” symptom.
Week 221
Other than N Meningitidis, which two other bacterial infections are common causes of bacterial meningitis?
Streptococcus Pneumoniae (9%)
Haemophilus Influenza B (1%)
Week 221
What could be a cause of a slow onset meningitidis?
M. Tuberculosis.
Week 221
Which part of the brain do bacteria cross (in meningitis), in order to access the CSF?
The choroid plexus.
Week 221
What is Brudzinski’s sign?
This is involuntary flexion of hips when the neck flexed
Week 221
What is Kernig’s sign?
There is pain in the leg, when the pt raises it whilst knee is flexed.
This happens because the sciatic N is stretched, pulling on the meninges.
Week 221
How does normal CSF appear?
0-4 lymphocytes per mm-3
Protein 0.15-0.40 g/l
Glucose 2.7-4.0 mmol/l
Clear and colourless
Week 221
What CSF results would you expect in bacterial meningitis?
++ Polymorphs (different forms/shapes)
+ Protein
Glucose is decreased or absent
Opaque and turbid
Week 221
What are the CSF results in Viral meningitis?
+ Polymorphs
++lymphocytes
Protein +
Glucose is normal (unlike bacteria, viral infections don’t use up sugar)
Clear and colourless
Week 221
What are the CSF results in tuberculous meningitis?
+Polymorphs
Lymphocytes later
+Protein
Low/absent glucose
Clear or opalescent appearance
Week 221
What are the CSF results in viral encephalitis?
+polymorphs, then initially
Protein +
Glucosen normal
Clear and colourless
Week 221
A -ve gra stain of CSF fluid suggests which cause of infection?
N Meningitidis
Week 221
A +ve Gram stain of CSF suggests which cause of meningitis?
Strep Pneumoniae
week 221
An AFB stain of CSF suggests what cause of meningeal infection?
TB
Week 221
What is the first line treatment for adults with meningitis (bacterial?)
Ceftriaxone