Chapter 17: Nervous System Infectious Diseases

What is meningitis?

Inflammation of the meninges.

How is meningitis transmitted in adults?

Mostly through the respiratory tract.

What are common signs and symptoms of meningitis?

High fever, petechiae, delirium, headache, neck stiffness, shock, cardiac failure, intravascular coagulation.

What organism causes meningococcal meningitis?

Neisseria meningitidis.

What is the highest risk age group for meningococcal meningitis?

10 to 20 years old.

What organism causes pneumococcal meningitis?

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Who is most at risk for pneumococcal meningitis?

The elderly.

What is the causative organism of fungal meningitis?

Cryptococcus neoformans.

Who is most likely to contract fungal meningitis?

Severely immunocompromised individuals.

What is a common cause of viral meningitis?

Many common viruses.

What organism causes neonatal meningitis?

Streptococcus agalactiae.

How is Streptococcus agalactiae transmitted during birth?

Vertical transfer.

What is the causative organism of tetanus?

Clostridium tetani.

What are the signs and symptoms of tetanus?

Spastic paralysis caused by a powerful neurotoxin.

How is tetanus transmitted?

Traumatic implantation of endospores into the skin.

What vaccine is available for tetanus?

DTaP, TDaP.

What organism causes botulism?

Clostridium botulinum.

What are the signs and symptoms of botulism?

Flaccid paralysis caused by a powerful neurotoxin.

How is botulism transmitted in adults?

Consumption of toxin from poorly processed foods.

What is the causative organism of poliomyelitis?

Poliovirus.

What are the signs and symptoms of poliomyelitis?

Nonspecific flu-like symptoms and flaccid paralysis.

How is poliomyelitis transmitted?

Ingestion of contaminated food or water.

What is the causative organism of rabies?

Rabies virus.

What are the signs and symptoms of rabies?

Nonspecific flu-like symptoms, hallucinations, aggression, excessive salivation, hydrophobia.

How is rabies transmitted?

Zoonotic infection via animal bite.

What organism causes amoebic meningoencephalitis?

Naegleria fowleri.

What are the signs and symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis?

Rapid brain destruction, hemorrhage, coma, death.

What is the causative agent of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?

Prions - misfolded proteins.

What are the signs and symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?

Altered behavior, dementia, memory loss, delirium.