Meningitis Flashcards
(42 cards)
Name the causes of bacterial meningitis in neonates
- Negative Bacilli ( E. coli )
- Group B streptococcal (S. agalactia)
- listeria monocytogenes
Yes what is the main cause of bacteria meningitis in neonates
Negative Bacilli (E. coli)

What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children
H. Influenza
What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults
S. pneumonia and N. meningitides 
Which type of bacterial infection may cause deafness associated with meningitis
H influenza
What is meningococcaemia
It is a condition that can be present with or without meningitis. It is when the meningococci enter the bloodstream. Presents with petechial rash. It can lead to hypertension and multi organ failure
How do you differentiate petechial rash due to meningococcaemia from other rashes
meningococcaemia lesions do not go away or disappear when pressure is applied
Which type of bacteria associated with meningitis is associated with middle ear infection
S. Agalactiae (group B strep)
What are the sign And symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis
- Headache, vomiting, fever
- photophobia and Phenophobia 
- Neck rigidity
- Altered level of consciousness such as confusion, delirium, lethargy and coma 
- Rash
 What are the two physical test to test for meningitis
- Kerning sign
- Brudzinski sign
 how do you test for kernings sign
Lay the patient in supine position, flex the hip joint and then slowly extend the knee joint. if back pain is present or the patient moves to fetal position the sign is positive
How do you test for Brodzinski sign
place your fingers on the occiput of the patient. Slowly raise their head until their chin touches their chest. If spontaneous knee and hip flexion occurs the sign is positive
What are the features of meningococcal septicaemia
- Meningitis
- rash
- shock
- DIC
- Renal failure
- peripheral gangrene
- arthritis
- pericarditis
What are the features of meningitis in neonates
Restlessness, high-pitched cry, refusal to feed and irritability
What are the complications of bacterial meningitis
- Septicaemia
- DIC
- shock
- raised intracranial pressure
- septic arthritis
- syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
- infarction of adrenal gland/waterhouse Fredrickson syndrome
What are the D/DS of meningitis
- Brain abscess
- viral meningitis
- TB meningitis
- other types of meningitis
- encephalitis
- meningism
- brain tumour
- cerebral malaria
- subarachnoid haemorrhage
What is meningism 
Meningeal irritation in the presence of normal CSF
What are the causes of meningism
- Typhoid fever
- atypical pneumonia
- Shigellosis
- Acute exanthema
- Pyelonephritis
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
What is the appearance of CSF during meningitis
 cloudy or turbid appearance
What are the findings of CSF bacterial meningitis
- Increase number of white blood cells mostly polymorphs
- glucose is decreased
- protein is elevated
- Gram stain usually positive
Why should lumber puncture not be done in a patient where there is increased intracranial pressure
There is a risk of brain herniation and death
What are the investigations for meningitis
- Lumber puncture
- CSF culture
- CSF PCR
- blood CBC
- Coagulation screen and fibrin degradation product analysis
- SeruM Urea, creatinine and electrolytes
- X-ray chest
- CT scan of brain
What is the management meningitis
- Bedrest
- IV fluids
- airway patency
- anti-microbial therapy
What is the specific therapy for meningococcus meningitis
Benzyl penicillin
