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.