Bacterial meningitis: Difference between revisions

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= Bacterial meningitis =
= Bacterial meningitis =


== Definition ==
= Definition =


* Bacterial infection of meninges
* Bacterial infection of meninges


== Etiology ==
= Etiology =


* Adults
* Adults
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** Gram-negatives
** Gram-negatives


== Risk factors ==
= Risk factors =


* Immunosuppression
* Immunosuppression
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* Chronic otitis media
* Chronic otitis media


== Presentation ==
= Presentation =


* Typically, an acute onset of headache with fever and vomiting after viral prodrome
* Typically, an acute onset of headache with fever and vomiting after viral prodrome
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* Ask about recent travel and sick contacts
* Ask about recent travel and sick contacts


== Investigations ==
= Investigations =


* Lab
* Lab
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** Lumbar puncture after CT head
** Lumbar puncture after CT head


=== CSF Interpretation ===
== CSF Interpretation ==


* Gram stain positive
* Gram stain positive
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* PMNs >1180
* PMNs >1180


== Management ==
= Management =


* Blood cultures before antibiotics
* Blood cultures before antibiotics
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* Adjust antibiotics based on Gram stain and cultures
* Adjust antibiotics based on Gram stain and cultures


== Complications ==
= Complications =


* Cerebral edema with raised ICP
* Cerebral edema with raised ICP
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* Venous sinus thrombosis
* Venous sinus thrombosis
* Cranial nerve palsies, especially deafness
* Cranial nerve palsies, especially deafness

[[Category:CNS infections]]

Revision as of 17:32, 12 August 2019

Bacterial meningitis

Definition

  • Bacterial infection of meninges

Etiology

  • Adults
    • Streptococcus pneumoniae
    • Neisseria meningitidis
    • Listeria monocytogenes in immunocompromised, elderly, alcoholics, adn diabetes
    • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Infants:
    • Group B Streptococcus
    • Escherichia coli
    • Haemophilus influenza
    • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Head trauma or neurosurgery
    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • Gram-negatives

Risk factors

  • Immunosuppression
  • Diabetes
  • Splenic dysfunction or splenectomy (e.g. sickle cell)
  • Alcoholism
  • Recent neurosurgery
  • CSF leak
  • Shunt infections
  • Head trauma
  • Chronic otitis media

Presentation

  • Typically, an acute onset of headache with fever and vomiting after viral prodrome
  • Bacterial vs. aseptic/viral meningitis
  • Headache or neck pain (70-80%)
  • Fever (75%)
  • Altered level of consciousness (70%)
  • Clinical signs
    • Brudzinski's sign (unhelpful)
    • Kernig's sign (may be specific)
    • Jolt test (very sensitive)
    • Seizures or focal neurological deficits (rare, poor prognosis)
    • Rash (purpuric with Neisseria)
  • Ask about recent travel and sick contacts

Investigations

  • Lab
    • CBC with differential
    • Electrolytes
    • Liver enzymes
    • Blood cultures
  • Imaging
    • CT head to rule out abscess or increased ICP
    • MRI head if suspicion for herpes encephalitis
      • Temporal lobe enhancement (usually unilateral)
  • Other
    • Lumbar puncture after CT head

CSF Interpretation

  • Gram stain positive
  • Glucose <1.0
  • CSF:blood glucose <0.23
  • Protein >2.2
  • WBC >2000
  • PMNs >1180

Management

  • Blood cultures before antibiotics
  • Start empiric antibiotics and dexamethasone
    • Infants
    • Children
    • Adults
      • Ceftriaxone 2g bid
      • vancomycin 1g q12h
      • +/- ampicillin 2g 14h if >50
      • Dexamethasone 10mg q6h x72h
      • +/- acyclovir
    • >65 years old
      • Treat like immunocompromised
  • CT head if reduced or altered level of consciousness
  • Lumbar puncture
  • Adjust antibiotics based on Gram stain and cultures

Complications

  • Cerebral edema with raised ICP
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Seizures
  • Arterial ischemia or infarction
  • SIADH
  • Subdural effusion or subdural empyema
  • Venous sinus thrombosis
  • Cranial nerve palsies, especially deafness