Lect 16 Flashcards
(57 cards)
define meningitis
inflammation resulting from an infection within the subarachnoid space (houses CSF)

define encephalitis
inflammation in the parenchyma
define chronic meningitis
symptom progressive or persistence > or = 4 weeks
what major pathogen that causes meningitis has a vaccine
Haemophilus influenzae
what are the pathogens most responsible for community acquired meningitis
- s. pneumoniae: most common cause of bacterial meningitis
- H. influenza
- N. menigitidis
- *usually caused by organisms able to colonize the respiratory tract
list pathogenesis steps of bacterial meningitis
- mucosal colonization
- entry into bloodstream
- penetration of BBB
- release of inflammatory cytokines
- WBC diapedesis into CSF -> increased permeability of BBB
- exudation of serum -> edema, inc intracranial pressure, altered blood flow
What is the most common pathway for gaining access to the CNS
- invasion of the bloodstream and seeding of the CNS
what is the classic triad of meningitis
- fever
- headache
- neck stiffness
what are some additional signs and symptoms of NEONATAL bacterial meningitis
- bulging fontanelle
- high pitched cry
- hypotonia
- paradoxic irritability
- quiet when stationary, crying when held

treatment of meningitis
- prompt initiation of empiric therapy
- steroids (usually dexamethasone)
- intrathecal antibiotics for hospital acquired infections
- injection into the spinal canal
what is purulent meningitis
intense acute congestion of meningeal blood vessels and purulent exudate
what are neonatal risk factors for meningitis
- immaturity of host defense mechanism
- low birth weight
what are maternal risk factors for neonatal meningitis
- premature rupture of membranes
- urogenital infection during late term
- intrauterine infections during early term
- invasion of the uterine space
neonatal meningits is characterized by what unique sign
Hyperthermia
what are the predominant agents of neonatal meningitis
- streptococcus agalactiae: also known as group B streptococcus
- E-coli
- Listeria monocytogenes
CDC recommendations for prevention of neonatal meningitis
- universal prenatal screening for vaginal or rectal colonization with group B strep for all pregnant woman at 35-37 weeks gestation
- routine abx prophylaxis for culture + women
where are streptococcus agalactiae normally found
- colonizes vagina, GI tract and upper respiratory tract of healthy individuals
streptococcus agalactiae
- gram status
- presentation on blood agar
- gram positive coccus
- gray white colonies with B hemolysis
virulence factors of streptococcus agalactiae
- capsular polysaccharid
- hyaluronidase
- collagenase
- hemolysin
early onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection
- maternal complications?
- when do symptoms develop?
- maternal obstetric complications are common
- symptoms develop during first 5 days of life
early onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection has what major clinical manifestations?
- bacteremia
- pneumonia
- meningitis
late onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection has what major clinical manifestations?
- bone/joint infections
- bacteremia
- concomitant/fulminant meningitis
late onset neonatal group B streptococcal infection
- maternal complications?
- when do symptoms develop
- maternal obstetric complications are uncommon
- symptoms develop from 7 days to 3 months of age
How is S. agalactiae diagnosed?
- definitive diagnosis requires isolation from blood, CSF
- detection of CAMP factor
- accentuation of hemolysis due to interaction with staph B-lysin