CNS Infections Flashcards
(49 cards)
what are the meninges?
the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
name the three meninges
dura
arachnoid
pia
what can untreated CNS infection lead to?
brain herniation and death
cord compression and paralysis
what are the two main types of meningitis?
pyogenic/bacterial
aseptic/viral
what is acute encephalitis?
an infection of the brain parenchyma
what is seen on the surface of the brain in bacterial meningitis?
thick layer of suppurative exudate covering the meninges
what is seen microscopically in bacterial meningitis?
neutrophils in the subarachnoid space
name four possible causes of bacterial meningitis
strep pneumoniae
neisseria meningitidis
listeria monocytogenes
haemophilus influenza
what is the management of bacterial meningitis?
ceftriaxone IV 2g BD
dexamethasone IV 10mg
what is the management for bacterial meningitis in someone with a penicillin allergy?
chloramphenicol IV 25mg/kg
when should dexamethasone be given for bacterial meningitis?
with or just before the first dose of antibiotics
when should dexamethsone be continued in bacterial meningitis and for how long?
pneumococcal meningitis
for four days
any other cause = stop
what should be given if listeria cover is required in bacterial meningitis?
add amoxicillin IV 2g 4 hourly
or co-trimoxazole iV 4x a day
what should be added to the management of bacterial meningitis if recent travel to a country with high rates of penicillin resistant pneumococci?
vancomycin or rifampacin
what are the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
headache vomiting pyrexia neck stiffness photophobia lethargy confusion rash
what bacteria cause bacterial meningitis in neonates?
listeria
group B strep
e coli
what bacteria causes bacterial meningitis in children?
h influenza
what bacteria cause bacterial meningitis in those aged 10-65?
neisseria meningitidis
strep pneumoniae
what bacteria cause bacterial meningitis in those >65?
strep pneumoniae
listeria
what bacteria are associated with bacterial meningitis in the immunocompromised?
listeria
strep pneumoniae
neisseria
pseudomonas
what bacteria are associated with bacterial meningitis in those with head trauma?
staph
gram negative bacilli
what bacteria is associated with bacterial meningitis after fracture of the cribriform plate?
strep pneumoniae
name four possible complications of bacterial meningitis
purulence
invasion
cerebral oedema
hydrocephalus
what causes meningococcal meningitis?
neisseria meningitidis
