Transcript Meningitis
Kris Bakkum
Kari Svihovec
BrainU 202
2012
MENINGITIS
True or False?
1. Meningitis is caused by either a virus or a
2.
3.
4.
5.
form of bacteria.
Viral meningitis causes more fatalities than
bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the spinal
cord.
Symptoms of meningitis may include fever,
chills, headache, and a stiff neck.
There are treatments available for all causes
of meningitis.
Definition of Meningitis
An inflammation of the meninges (protective
membranes surrounding the central nervous
system)
Causes of Meningitis
Fungal Meningitis
Parasitic Meningitis
Caused by Cryptococcus
Caused by N. fowerli
types of fungus
Affects people with
immune deficiencies, such
as AIDS, leukemia…
Generally mild or less
severe when compared to
other forms of meningitis
Parasite is typically found
in warm, freshwater
sources
Very rare
Usually fatal
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Causes of Meningitis
Non-Infectious Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Caused by trauma to the
Caused by viruses
nervous system
Trauma may result from
Drug use
Cancers
Head injury
Brain surgery
Severity depends upon
underlying health
condition
Enteroviruses
Small viruses made of RNA +
protein
Mumps
Herpes
Generally mild or less
severe when compared to
other forms of meningitis
Causes of Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis
Caused by Haemophilus, Streptococcus , or
and Listeria types of bacteria
The type of bacteria causing the infection is
dependant upon the age of the individual
Usually severe
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Fatalities occur among 20-25% of all individuals
affected
Diagnosis of Meningitis
Testing of
Blood
Crossing of BB barrier
Cerebrospinal Fluid
PCR for Viral Meningitis
Diagnosis of exclusion for
non-infectious forms
Risk Factors of Meningitis
Age
Infants or young are at a higher risk
Setting
Spreads quickly among large groups of people
(colleges, military, religious pilgrimages)
Medical conditions that weaken immune
system
Travel to Sub-Saharan Africa
Symptoms of Meningitis
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Photophobia
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Agitation
Confusion
Rapid breathing
Bulging fontanelles in children
Decreased consciousness
Temporary or permanent hearing loss
Sepsis resulting in organ failure or loss of limbs
Symptoms may last 2-4 weeks
Neural effects of Meningitis
Inflammation of membranes surrounding brain and spinal cord
Compression of brain decreases synaptic activity
Hearing or speech loss
Blindness
Permanent brain and nerve damage
Behavioral changes
Reduced cognitive abilities
Loss of muscle control
Seizures
Memory loss
Increased pressure on brain forces it through foramen magnum,
resulting in an increased pressure placed upon brainstem
Breathing stops
Death
Long-Term Effects of Meningitis
Patients may require
Long-term care
Extensive therapy
Support in educational settings
Treatment of Meningitis
Fungal
Parasitic
Treat the symptoms
Treat the underlying condition (cancer)
Viral
Several drugs are successful in laboratory settings only
Almost always fatal to infected individuals
Non-infectious
Long course of IV Anti-fungal medication
Time (usually 7-10 days)
Treatment of symptoms
Bacterial
Appropriate antibiotics based upon type of bacterial infection
People in contact with infected individuals are often treated as well
Prevention of Meningitis
Standard Immunizations
Standard hygiene practices
Avoid contact with infected individuals
Focuses of Current Meningitis Research
Control of immune response due to the infection
Clinical
Vaccine development
Optimizing treatment
Timing of treatment
Strategy of drug administration
Cost-effective treatment options for areas with
limited resources
Recovery
“Neuroprotective” compounds that can block
accumulating damage after meningal inflammation
True or False
1. Meningitis is caused by either a virus or a
form of bacteria.
2. Viral meningitis causes more fatalities than
bacterial meningitis.
3. Meningitis is an inflammation of the spinal
cord.
4. Symptoms of meningitis may include fever,
chills, headache, and a stiff neck.
5. There are treatments available for all causes
of meningitis.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Protection
Hearing Research Trust, UK
Meningitis Research Foundation
National Meningitis Association
David R. Boulware, M.D., MPH, DTM&H