Inflammations of Central Nervous System

These flashcards contain key concepts and definitions related to inflammations of the central nervous system, including infections, types of meningitis, and neurodegenerative diseases.

What are the most common pathogens causing infections in the central nervous system?

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, rickettsiae, and parasites.

What routes can pathogens take to infect the central nervous system?

Hematogenous, direct implantation, local extension, and along nerve.

What type of infection is characterized by inflammation of the meninges?

Meningitis.

What is acute pyogenic meningitis primarily caused by in children?

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis.

What findings are expected in the CSF of a patient with acute bacterial meningitis?

Low glucose, high protein, and a high number of PMNs.

What is the most common viral cause of acute viral meningitis?

Enteroviruses.

What significant risk is associated with untreated acute pyogenic meningitis?

It can be fatal.

What is the morphology associated with acute pyogenic meningitis?

Cloudy or purulent CSF and engorged meningeal vessels.

What causes brain abscesses?

Direct implantation, local extension of infection, or remote infection via bloodstream.

What are clinical features of chronic meningoencephalitis?

Tuberculosis, neurosyphilis, and neuroborreliosis amongst others.

What condition is characterized by the progressive loss of myelin sheaths in the CNS?

Demyelinating diseases.

What is the most common neurodegenerative disease?

Alzheimer's disease.

What are the key morphological features of Alzheimer's disease?

Brain atrophy, beta-amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles.

Which neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies?

Parkinson's disease.

What causes spongiform change in prion diseases?

Abnormal folding of prions leading to small round vacuoles in gray matter.

What is the incubation period for prion diseases?

Months to decades.

What is the most common form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD).