Lecture 5 - Meningitis Flashcards
Where are the meninges found?
Surrounding the CNS (SPINE + BRAIN)
What are the components of the meninge
pia mater (pink, sensitive), arachnoid mater (spongey), and the dura mater (skull)
Where is the spinal fluid located?
Between the pia mater and arachnoid mater
What is meningitis
Infection of the meninge from a virus or a bacteria
List the 10 steps of bacterial meningitis
- ) enters the body
- ) pushed into blood
- ) multiplies in blood
- ) crosses BBB
- ) invades into meninge
- ) proinflamation cytokines released
- ) recruit of leukocytes
- ) edema and increased cranial pressure
- ) inflammation
- ) neuron damage
What bacteria causes meningitis?
Almost all can do this!
Three methods to get across the BBB
Transcellular Transversal - right through
Paracellular Transversal - through tight junctions
Trojan-Horse Mechanism - intracellular pathogen invades immune cell and then moves across
2 methods of diagnosis
Blood testing that indicates inflammation and a spinal tap that produces a cloudy solution
Neisseria meningitis
G-, diplococcus
What species and where in that species is Neisseria meningitis found?
In humans nose/throat
In North America, what is the most common type of meningitis?
Type B
In Africa, what is the most common type of meningitis?
Type A
3 Vaccines for meningitis
Menactro/Menveo - 4 serotypes and Bexero - expensive/controversial
Streptococcus pneumoniae
G+ cocci
Strep penum vaccine
Prevnar 13 (Pfizer)
