Infections of the Central Nervous System

Definitions

• Meningitis

• Encephalitis.

• meningoencrphaLITIS

Route of infection

• Haematogenous spread.

• Via nervous

Main Bacterial meningitis

• Neisseria meningitis.

• H. influnzae

• S. pneumoniae.

• B- hemolytic streptococcus group B

• E. coli

• Listeria mononcytogenses.

N. meningitidis

• Up to 10% carrier rate.

• Spread by respiratory droplets.

• Serotypes

• Manifestations.

• Treatment; Penicillin, cefotaxime, or chloramphenicol.

H. Influnzae

• Type B

• Children less than 5 Y.

• Treatment; Cefotaxime, chloramphenicol. Rifampicin in immunization.

• Vaccination.

S. pneumoniae

• Common in young children (less than 2 ) and elderly (esp.; asplenic patients).

• Infection may result from pneumococcal septicaemia or skull facture.

• Symptoms, similar. Complications e.g., deafness are more common than other causes.

• Treatment; Cefotaxime. • Vaccination for susceptible individuals.

Neonatal meningitis

• E. coli, B-haemolytic streptococci, and L. mononcytogenses.

• Symptoms are unclear.

• Treatment; Penicillin + aminoglycosides or third generation cephalosporins.