Neurological Infections

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Questions and Answers

Which part of the nervous system is affected by meningitis?

Spinal cord

Peripheral nerves

Brain parenchyma

Meninges (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of CNS infection mentioned in the text?

Meningitis (correct)

Brain abscess

Encephalitis

Meningoencephalitis

What is the most common route of CNS infections?

Haematogenous spread (correct)

Direct spread from adjacent infected site

Travel along nerves to the brain

Through choroid plexus or other blood vessels of brain to subarachnoid space

Which of the following is NOT a clinical presentation of meningitis?

Joint pain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a CSF finding used to classify meningitis?

Causative agents Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?

Nil Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential sequelae of CNS infections?

Increased blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a route of infection for CNS infections?

Ingestion of contaminated food Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system is affected by encephalitis?

Brain parenchyma Signup and view all the answers

Explain why infections of the central nervous system are considered a medical emergency.

Infections of the central nervous system are considered a medical emergency because they can be life-threatening and lead to severe sequelae such as coma, decreased mental capacity, seizures, and persistent neurological deficits. Signup and view all the answers

Name the different types of CNS infections mentioned in the text.

The different types of CNS infections mentioned in the text are meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, and brain abscess. Signup and view all the answers

What is the route of infection for CNS infections through hematogenous spread?

CNS infections can spread through hematogenous spread, which occurs when the causative agents enter the subarachnoid space and/or blood vessels of the brain through the choroid plexus or other blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential routes of direct spread for CNS infections?

The potential routes of direct spread for CNS infections include otitis media, sinusitis, mastoiditis, surgical procedures, trauma, and congenital abnormalities. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the clinical presentation of meningitis.

The clinical presentation of meningitis includes fever, headache, neck stiffness, altered mental status, photophobia, vomiting, seizure, and focal neurological deficits. Signup and view all the answers

How are the CSF findings used to classify meningitis?

CSF findings are used to classify meningitis based on the speed of onset of initial presentation, rate of progression of the illness, causative agents, white blood cell count, predominant cell type, protein level, and glucose level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal opening pressure of CSF?

The normal opening pressure of CSF is nil. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of encephalitis?

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain parenchyma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the least common route of infection for CNS infections?

The least common route of infection for CNS infections is through travel along nerves to the brain, such as in the case of rabies and HSV infections. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential sequelae of CNS infections?

The potential sequelae of CNS infections include coma, decreased mental capacity, seizures evolving to epilepsy, and persistent neurological deficits. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neurological Infections

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are medical emergencies that can be life-threatening and have severe sequelae, such as coma, decreased mental capacity, seizure, and persistent neurological deficit.

Anatomy of the Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of peripheral nerves, meninges, and the brain parenchyma.
The subarachnoid space is a region between the meninges and the brain parenchyma.

Types of CNS Infections

Meningitis: an infection within the subarachnoid space and/or throughout the leptomeninges.
Encephalitis: inflammation of the brain parenchyma.
Meningoencephalitis: concomitant meningitis with encephalitis.
Brain abscess: a localized collection of pus in the brain.

Routes of Infection

Haematogenous spread: the most common route of CNS infection, through the choroid plexus or other blood vessels of the brain to the subarachnoid space.
Direct spread: from adjacent infected sites, such as otitis media, sinusitis, and mastoiditis, or through anatomic defects (e.g., surgery, trauma, congenital abnormalities).
Travel along nerves to the brain: the least common route of CNS infection (e.g., rabies, HSV).

Clinical Presentation of Meningitis

Fever
Headache
Neck stiffness
Altered mental status
Photophobia
Vomiting
Seizure
Focal neurological deficits
Disseminated disease due to causative agents

Classification of Meningitis

Acute: progression in hours to days
Subacute or chronic: progression in days to weeks

CSF Findings

Opening pressure (mmH2O)
WBC/mm3: white blood cell count
Predominant cell type
Protein (mg/dL)
Glucose (CSF/Blood ratio)

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Description

Test your knowledge on neurological infections with this quiz by Dr. Teresa Wang. Learn about different types of CNS infections, routes of acquiring them, interpreting CSF findings in meningitis/meningoencephalitis, and principles of treatment. Understand why CNS infections are a medical emergency.