Infections Flashcards
(127 cards)
meningitis is inflammation of the meninges causes may be ___, ___, ____ or ______. Which is the most common cause NB: usually self-limiting. Name 2 non-infectious causes of meningitis?
- bacterial
- viral (this is the most common cause)
- fungal, protozoal (affect immunocompromised more)
- malignancy and autoimmune causes
-
-
- child’s age
- immunisations
- immunocompetence
_____ meningitis is a medical _______ with high ____ and _____.
Bacterial is a medical emergency with high morbidity and mortality
Children w meningitis often present with non-specific symptoms e.g.__________________
- poor feeding
- fever
- lethargy
- irritability
- vomiting
- headache
- myalgia/arthralgia
As well as photophobia, and opisthotonus posturing, what signs of meningitis can be elicited? NB: they occur ~late and much less in young children
- neck stiffness e.g. cant kiss knee
- Kernig’s sign: resistance to extending knee w hip flexed
- Brudzinski’s sign: hips flex on neck flexion
name some severe v late signs of meningitis:
- bulging fontanelle
- altered consciousness
- seizures, focal neuro deficit
- abnormal pupils
- blanching rash
as well as meningitis, name 2ddx for a child presenting with a “stiff neck”.
- tonsillitis
- lymphadenitis
- subarachnoid bleed
suggest 5+ investigations you’d do in a child presenting w suspected meningitis e.g. urine dip, stool virology, CXR
- FBC, CRP, U&Es
- Clotting
- culture
- meningococal PCR
- blood gas
- LP, glucose
Name 5 contraindications for LP in assessing suspected meningitis:
NB: if in doubt give ABx/do not delay IV abx to do an LP
- signs of raised ICP
- shock, respiratory insufficiency
- spreading purpura, coagulopathy, low platelets
- local infection at LP site
- during seizure/unstable post seizure
In an LP for suspected meningitis, once needle is in place, you want to catch 5-10drops of CSF into _ bottles for urgent ___, ____, _____ and ____.
-4bottles
-MC&S, virology, protein and glucose
(NB: do simultaneous paired blood glucose)
What steps should be taken to treat pyogenic meningitis before the organism is known?
clue: manage what? give what? Which abx in what setting? What can reduce hearing loss? In which cause? assess for what sign? If needed treat with what?
- manage ABC, give high flow O2
- don’t delay abx, give immediate ceftriaxone IV if >3months or IV/IM benzylpenicillin in pre-hospital setting
- dexamethasone(0.15mk/kg/6hr IV for 4days) with 1st abx dose if >3months as reduces hearing loss in pneumococcal meningitis
- assess for signs of raised ICP, treat w hypertonic saline or mannitol over 5min, discuss w senior
In the treatment of pyogenic meningitis before the organism is known, you should __ ___ fluids unless there are signs of ____. If patient is ___+ you should treat for _______. And if HSV _______ is suspected you should add _____.
- restrict fluid unless signs of SIADH
- if pt is HIV+, treat for cryptococcus
- if HSV encephalitis suspected, add aciclovir
Name 3 acute complications of meningitis:
- seizures
- raised ICP
- abscesses
- infected subdural effusion
Name 3 chronic complications of meningitis:
- hydrocephalus
- ataxia, paralysis
- deafness
- decreased IQ
- epilepsy
How may the appearance of CSF vary in the following causes of meningitis:
- bacterial
- tubercular
- aseptic/viral
- normal
- bacterial: cloudy/turbid
- tubercular: cloudy/yellow
- aseptic/viral: ~clear
- normal: clear
Normally CSF should have greater than 2/3rds the level of serum glucose, and protein content should be <0.4 g/dL. What happens to the levels CSF with:
- bacterial
- tubercular
- aseptic/viral meningitis?
- bacterial: glucose levels in CSF decrease, protein levels increase to ~3g/dL
- tubercular: glucose levels decrease, protein increase ~2g/dL
- aseptic/viral meningitis: glucose is normal, protein levels vary ~>0.4 and <1.5
What is the predominant cell type in CSF from the following types of meningitis:
-bacterial
-tubercular
-aseptic/viral meningitis?
NB: normal CSF should have <5lymphocytes, 0 neutrophils
- bacterial: polymorphs
- tubercular: mononuclear
- aseptic/viral meningitis: mononuclear
Meningococcal disease comprises of ____ ____ _____, ____ or both.
- neisseria meningitidis meningitis
- sepsis
What are the key points to remember about meningococcal disease?
- progresses rapidly, narrow window to diagnose
- early signs may be subtle
- consider in any seriously ill baby/child
- if any suspicion of mening. sepsis, do NOT DELAY ABx
What are the abx choices in the treatment of meningococcal disease:
- in >3months old
- in <3month old
- in a pre-hospital setting
- > 3months give IV cefotaxime
- <3months: IV cefotaxime plus amoxicillin/ampicillin
- give benzylpenicillin in pre-hospital setting
General early fts of meningococcal disease include: fever, headache, anorexia, vomiting, sore throat… what are the next septic features that occur after ~6hrs?
- cold hands/feet
- limb pain
- abnormal colour (pale/mottled)
- thirst
- respiratory distress in young
- DIC, tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnoea
The meningococcal disease late sign (after 8-19hrs) of a non-blanching rash develops over hours, what are the 3 stages the rash goes through?
- non-specific
- petechial
- purpuric/haemorrhagic
What are the following signs of: neck stiffness, photophobia, bulging fontanelle
meningeal signs
How can we prevent deaths from meningococcal disease?
-what do we need to manage? to look out for?
NB: stop parents smoking 37% cases are from aerosolised from smokers cough cause.
- get help and treat early
- ITU, manage ABC, high flow O2
- IV ceftriaxone 80-100mg/kg
- 2 large bore cannula
- blood gas, U&Es, clotting, x-match, CRP
- meningitis PCR
- treat if signs of shock w 20ml/kg bolus
- treat if signs of raised ICP, hypoglycaemia, anaemia, acidosis and coagulopathy