Kris BakkumKari SvihovecBrainU 2022012

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.

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 types of fungus

Affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS, leukemia…

Generally mild or less severe when compared to other forms of meningitis

Caused by N. fowerli Parasite is typically

found in warm, freshwater sources

Very rare Usually fatal

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Causes of Meningitis

Non-Infectious Meningitis Viral Meningitis

Caused by trauma to the nervous system

Trauma may result from Drug use Cancers Head injury Brain surgery

Severity depends upon underlying health condition

Caused by viruses 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 Fatalities occur among 20-25% of all

individuals affected

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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 Long course of IV Anti-fungal medication

Parasitic Several drugs are successful in laboratory settings only Almost always fatal to infected individuals

Non-infectious Treat the symptoms Treat the underlying condition (cancer)

Viral 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