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Meningitis

Updated : September 5, 2022





Background

Meningitis is an inflammatory condition of the brain and the spinal cord typically induced by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Some types of meningitis can be prevented with vaccines. Depending on the cause, meningitis can be self-limiting or life-threatening, requiring immediate antibiotic treatment.

Epidemiology

The yearly incidence of bacterial meningitis in the United States is nearly 1.38 cases per 100,000 individuals, with an estimated mortality rate of 14.3%. Meningitis is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, also known as the meningitis belt, which stretches to Senegal from Ethiopia.

Non-polio enteroviruses such as echovirus and group B coxsackievirus are the most prevalent viral agents causing meningitis. Herpesviruses, Mumps, Parechovirus, Varicella-zoster virus, Epstein Barr virus, influenza, measles, and arboviruses are commonly found in Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse West Nile, and Powassan.

Fungal meningitis is commonly associated with immune-compromised individuals and chronic corticosteroid therapy. Mycobacterium tuberculosis also affects immunosuppressed individuals. Escherichia coli is a significant pathogen responsible for meningitis in the early years of life.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

Meningitis is primarily transmitted through two routes of infection:

Contiguous direct spread

Organisms invade the cerebrospinal fluid through surrounding anatomical structures ( sinusitis, otitis media), foreign objects (trauma, traffic accidents, medical devices), or surgical procedures.

Hematogenous seeding

Following the mucosal invasion, bacteria enter the bloodstream via colonizing the nasopharynx. When bacteria enter the subarachnoid space, they penetrate the blood-brain barrier, triggering an inflammatory and immune-mediated response.

Viral invasion of the central nervous system can occur either through hematogenous seeding or retrograde transmission along neuronal pathways.

Etiology

Meningitis is transmitted from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and, less frequently, parasites. Meningeal inflammation is referred to as meningitis. The arachnoid mater, dura mater, and pia mater are three membranes that cover the skull’s vertebral canal, which shelters the brain and spinal cord.

Both viral and non-infectious factors, such as autoimmune diseases, malignancy, and medication responses, can also result in meningitis.

Risk factors include:

  • Under vaccination
  • Immunocompromised state
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Bacterial endocarditis
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Malignancy
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Splenectomy

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

Prognosis varies based on the etiologic organism patient’s age and immunological condition. The annual fatality rate for bacterial meningitis in the United States in 2010 was 14.3%.

The mortality rate associated with different pathogens varies, such as Neisseria meningitidis meningitis is 10.1%, Listeria monocytogenes is 18.1%, Group B Streptococcus is 11.1%, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is 17.9%.

Clinical History

Physical Examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Differential Diagnoses

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

Medication

 

cefotaxime

1 g IM or IV every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day



minocycline

200 mg IV given initially, followed by 100 mg IV every 12hrs
maximum dose given per day is 400 mg
Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis:
100 mg given orally every 12hrs for about five days



ceftriaxone

1-2 g IV or IM was given once a day or in equally divided doses 2x a day
maximum duration of therapy is 4-14 days
prolonged treatment recommends for complicated infections
At least ten days for Infections due to S. pyogenes



benzylpenicillin 

2.4 gm intravenously every 4 hours
Keep the maximum dose at 18 gm each day
A dose of 1.2 gm is given intravenously at a maximum rate of 300 mg/min



 

cefotaxime

0-1 week: 50 mg per kg IV every 12hrs
1-4 weeks: 50 mg per kg IV every 8hrs
Age: 1 month-12 years
for weight: <50 kg
50-180 mg per kg IM or IV has given per day divided into 4 to 6 equal doses
for weight: >50 kg
1 g IM or IV given every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day
Age: >12 years:
1 g IM or IV given every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day
Higher doses are given to treat more severe or serious infections



fluconazole 

Indicated for Cryptococcal meningitis
:

12mg/kg/day orally or intravenous on Day 1, then 6mg/kg every day
Children with AIDS: 6mg/kg daily once

Premature neonates
26-29 weeks gestation: 6-12mg/kg/day orally or intravenous
Maintenance dose: 3-6mg/kg/day orally or intravenous



meropenem 

Indicated for Bacterial Meningitis:


≥3 months: 40 mg/kg intravenous thrice a day; Do not exceed 2 g every 8 hours



benzylpenicillin 

In the neonates, 100 mg/kg each day in two divided doses
1–4-week-olds, 150 mg/kg each day in three divided doses
For more than 1 month to 12-year-olds, 180-300 mg/kg each day in four to six divided doses



latamoxef 

100 mg/kg Intravenous injections as a loading dose



Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment
Haemodialysis: 15 mg/kg intravenously at the end of each dialysis
CrCl above 30 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 1-2 times a day
CrCl below 10 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 36 to 48 hours
CrCl 10 to 30 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 24 to 36 hours

 

Media Gallary

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459360/

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Meningitis

Updated : September 5, 2022




Meningitis is an inflammatory condition of the brain and the spinal cord typically induced by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Some types of meningitis can be prevented with vaccines. Depending on the cause, meningitis can be self-limiting or life-threatening, requiring immediate antibiotic treatment.

The yearly incidence of bacterial meningitis in the United States is nearly 1.38 cases per 100,000 individuals, with an estimated mortality rate of 14.3%. Meningitis is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, also known as the meningitis belt, which stretches to Senegal from Ethiopia.

Non-polio enteroviruses such as echovirus and group B coxsackievirus are the most prevalent viral agents causing meningitis. Herpesviruses, Mumps, Parechovirus, Varicella-zoster virus, Epstein Barr virus, influenza, measles, and arboviruses are commonly found in Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse West Nile, and Powassan.

Fungal meningitis is commonly associated with immune-compromised individuals and chronic corticosteroid therapy. Mycobacterium tuberculosis also affects immunosuppressed individuals. Escherichia coli is a significant pathogen responsible for meningitis in the early years of life.

Meningitis is primarily transmitted through two routes of infection:

Contiguous direct spread

Organisms invade the cerebrospinal fluid through surrounding anatomical structures ( sinusitis, otitis media), foreign objects (trauma, traffic accidents, medical devices), or surgical procedures.

Hematogenous seeding

Following the mucosal invasion, bacteria enter the bloodstream via colonizing the nasopharynx. When bacteria enter the subarachnoid space, they penetrate the blood-brain barrier, triggering an inflammatory and immune-mediated response.

Viral invasion of the central nervous system can occur either through hematogenous seeding or retrograde transmission along neuronal pathways.

Meningitis is transmitted from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and, less frequently, parasites. Meningeal inflammation is referred to as meningitis. The arachnoid mater, dura mater, and pia mater are three membranes that cover the skull’s vertebral canal, which shelters the brain and spinal cord.

Both viral and non-infectious factors, such as autoimmune diseases, malignancy, and medication responses, can also result in meningitis.

Risk factors include:

  • Under vaccination
  • Immunocompromised state
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Bacterial endocarditis
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Malignancy
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Splenectomy

Prognosis varies based on the etiologic organism patient’s age and immunological condition. The annual fatality rate for bacterial meningitis in the United States in 2010 was 14.3%.

The mortality rate associated with different pathogens varies, such as Neisseria meningitidis meningitis is 10.1%, Listeria monocytogenes is 18.1%, Group B Streptococcus is 11.1%, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is 17.9%.

cefotaxime

1 g IM or IV every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day



minocycline

200 mg IV given initially, followed by 100 mg IV every 12hrs
maximum dose given per day is 400 mg
Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis:
100 mg given orally every 12hrs for about five days



ceftriaxone

1-2 g IV or IM was given once a day or in equally divided doses 2x a day
maximum duration of therapy is 4-14 days
prolonged treatment recommends for complicated infections
At least ten days for Infections due to S. pyogenes



benzylpenicillin 

2.4 gm intravenously every 4 hours
Keep the maximum dose at 18 gm each day
A dose of 1.2 gm is given intravenously at a maximum rate of 300 mg/min



cefotaxime

0-1 week: 50 mg per kg IV every 12hrs
1-4 weeks: 50 mg per kg IV every 8hrs
Age: 1 month-12 years
for weight: <50 kg
50-180 mg per kg IM or IV has given per day divided into 4 to 6 equal doses
for weight: >50 kg
1 g IM or IV given every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day
Age: >12 years:
1 g IM or IV given every 12hrs for mild conditions
1-2 g IM or IV every 8hrs moderate to severe infections
2 g IV every 6-8hrs high dosing for infections
2 g IV every 4hrs for life-threatening infections
12 g is the maximum dose required per day
Higher doses are given to treat more severe or serious infections



fluconazole 

Indicated for Cryptococcal meningitis
:

12mg/kg/day orally or intravenous on Day 1, then 6mg/kg every day
Children with AIDS: 6mg/kg daily once

Premature neonates
26-29 weeks gestation: 6-12mg/kg/day orally or intravenous
Maintenance dose: 3-6mg/kg/day orally or intravenous



meropenem 

Indicated for Bacterial Meningitis:


≥3 months: 40 mg/kg intravenous thrice a day; Do not exceed 2 g every 8 hours



benzylpenicillin 

In the neonates, 100 mg/kg each day in two divided doses
1–4-week-olds, 150 mg/kg each day in three divided doses
For more than 1 month to 12-year-olds, 180-300 mg/kg each day in four to six divided doses



latamoxef 

100 mg/kg Intravenous injections as a loading dose



Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment
Haemodialysis: 15 mg/kg intravenously at the end of each dialysis
CrCl above 30 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 1-2 times a day
CrCl below 10 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 36 to 48 hours
CrCl 10 to 30 mL/min: 15 mg/kg every 24 to 36 hours

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459360/

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