Micro W11: infections of the Nervous System
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following conditions is characterized by inflammation of both the brain and the meninges?

  • Aseptic meningitis
  • Encephalitis
  • Meningoencephalitis (correct)
  • Bacterial meningitis

    • What is a significant difference between septic meningitis and aseptic meningitis in terms of CSF appearance?

  • Aseptic meningitis has turbid CSF.
  • Aseptic meningitis has clear CSF. (correct)
  • Septic meningitis has clear CSF.
  • Septic meningitis has practically no CSF

    • Which organism is associated with causing meningococcal meningitis?

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Neisseria meningitides (correct)
  • Haemophilus influenzae

    • What is the primary transmission method for Neisseria meningitides?

    <p>Person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following bacteria is known to commonly present in the normal flora of the throat and can cause bacterial meningitis?

    <p>Streptococcus pneumoniae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis that differentiates it from viral meningitis?

    <p>Production of bacterial toxins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following complications can occur as a result of untreated bacterial meningitis?

    <p>Potential permanent neurological damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bacterial strain is primarily responsible for approximately 5% to 10% of bacterial meningitis cases in adults?

    <p>Haemophilus influenzae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common symptom of Listeria meningitis?

    <p>Personality change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bacterium is responsible for causing tetanus?

    <p>Clostridium tetani</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about polio infection?

    <p>95% of cases are asymptomatic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of meningitis is caused by a virus and is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis?

    <p>Viral meningitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about botulism is correct?

    <p>There are four types of botulism, including foodborne and wound.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom is NOT associated with rabies infection?

    <p>Loss of coordination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary method of transmission of arboviral encephalitis?

    <p>Mosquito bites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    For which type of viral meningitis are mosquitoes considered potential vectors?

    <p>Viral meningitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of encephalitis is characterized by a high mortality rate ranging from 3% to 30%?

    <p>St. Louis encephalitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Nervous System Infections

    • Infections can cross the blood-brain barrier during inflammation.
    • Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges (the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
      • Aseptic meningitis has clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is usually caused by viruses.
      • Septic meningitis has turbid CSF and is usually caused by bacteria.
    • Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.
    • Meningoencephalitis is inflammation of both the brain and the meninges.
    • Neuromuscular junctions can also be targets for microbial infections or toxins.

    Bacterial Infections

    • Bacterial meningitis presents with nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, stiff neck, progressing to confusion, sleepiness, light sensitivity, potential convulsion, and coma.
      • Early treatment is crucial to prevent neurological damage.
    • Meningococcal meningitis is caused by Neisseria meningitides (gram-negative diplococcus).
      • Asymptomatic carriers are common (20%).
      • Transmission is person-to-person via respiratory droplets.
      • Antibiotic therapy significantly reduces mortality (9-12% reduction).
    • Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is caused by Haemophilus influenzae (gram-negative coccobacillus).
      • Commonly a normal throat inhabitant.
      • Vaccination has decreased incidence significantly in children.
      • Causes 5-10% of bacterial meningitis in adults.
      • Transmission is similar to N. meningitidis.
      • Intravenous antibiotics are necessary.
    • Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (gram-positive diplococcus).
      • Commonly carried in the throats of healthy individuals.
      • A significant cause of otitis media and pneumonia.
      • A conjugate vaccine exists.
    • Listeria meningitis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
      • Foodborne illness; can spread to the CNS.
      • Affects the elderly and immunocompromised.
      • Symptoms include fever, personality change, tremors, seizures.
    • Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani neurotoxin (exotoxin).
      • Characterized by prolonged muscle contractions and spasms.
      • Spores are found in soil and animal feces.
      • Infection occurs through wounds.
    • Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum.
      • Produces a potent neurotoxin (serotypes A-H).
      • Occurs in various forms (foodborne, infant, wound, inhalation).
      • Incidence is low, but mortality is high if not treated promptly.

    Viral Infections

    • Viral meningitis (aseptic meningitis) is relatively common and usually less severe than bacterial meningitis.
      • It is spread via direct contact with infected feces or secretions. Mosquitoes can also transmit some viral meningitis.
      • Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, tiredness, rash, sore throat, vomiting.
      • Resolves spontaneously due to immune response antibody production.
    • Poliomyelitis is caused by the poliovirus.
      • The virus replicates in the GI tract and sheds in feces.
      • Person-to-person transmission through the oral-fecal route.
      • Most infections are asymptomatic.
      • In the United States, only inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is routinely used.
    • Rabies is a preventable zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus.
      • Typically causes acute encephalitis.
      • Reservoirs include raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and other animals and domesticated animals.
      • Transmission occurs via saliva from an infected animal.
      • Symptoms begin with fatigue, insomnia, muscle aches, headache, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain progressing to agitation.
      • Pre- and post-exposure vaccination are key.
    • Arboviral encephalitis is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
      • Multiple types exist (Eastern equine, Western equine, St. Louis, La Crosse, West Nile).
      • Symptoms vary in severity.
      • No readily available treatment or vaccines are available for most types.

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