CNS Infections Flashcards Preview

Clinical Neurology > CNS Infections > Flashcards

Flashcards in CNS Infections Deck (22)
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1
Q

What are the main types of CNS infections?

A

Encephalitis
Meningitis
Meningoencephalitis
Encephalomyelitis

2
Q

What is the commonest (but not exclusive) cause of aseptic meningitis?

A

Viruses

3
Q

In pyogenic meningitis neutrophils are found where?

A

Subarachnoid space

4
Q

What are the commonest bacteriae causing meningitis?

A

Strep pneumoniae

Meningococus

5
Q

What bacteria more commonly causes meningitis in older or immunosuppressed patients?

A

Listeria

6
Q

What is the initial treatment of bacterial meningitis?

A

Ceftriaxone + dexamethasone IV

7
Q

What is used in the initial treatment if patients are pen-allergic?

A

Chloramphenicol + dexamethasone IV

8
Q

What antibiotic should be used if listeria cover is required?

A

Amoxicillin

9
Q

What antibiotic should be used if the patient is suspected of having penicillin-resistant pneumococcus?

A

Vancomycin

10
Q

What tests are used to diagnose viral meningitis?

A

Viral stool culture
Throat swab
CSF PCR

11
Q

What drug must be given to patients with viral encephalitis?

A

Acyclovir

12
Q

What are the clinical features of encephalitis?

A

Insidious onset
Stupor
Seizures
Confusion

13
Q

What is the commonest route of infection in bacterial meningitis?

A

Nasopharyngeal colonisation

14
Q

What type of patients are more likely to get pneumococcal meningitis?

A

Hospitalised patients
Skull fractures
Diabetics
Alcoholics

15
Q

Cryptococcal meningitis is common in which patient group?

A

HIV patients

16
Q

What are the main clinical signs of bacterial meningitis?

A

Fever
Stiff neck
Altered consciousness

17
Q

What are some signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis?

A

Headache
Vomiting
Pyrexia
Confusion

18
Q

What CSF figures are 99% predictive of bacterial meningitis?

A

WBC >2k
Neutrophils >1.2k
Protein >220
Glucose <34

19
Q

Give some causes of aseptic meningitis

A
HSV 1 and 2
Syphillis
TB
Sarcoidosis
Vasculitis
20
Q

What patients should get a CT before lumbar puncture?

A
Immunocompromised
History of CNS disease
New onset seizure
Papilloedema
Abnormal consciousness
Focal neurological deficit
21
Q

What drugs can be given as meningitis prophylaxis?

A

Rifampicin
Ciprofloxacin
Ceftriaxone

22
Q

Which of the meningitis causing bacteria have vaccines?

A

Neisseria meningitidis
H influenzae
Strep pneumoniae