Difference between Meningitis and Encephalitis
March 2007
| A | Pentostatin | |
| B |
Amphotericin B |
|
| C |
Zidovudine |
|
| D |
Clotrimazole |
Drug used to treat Cryptococcal meningitis is:
March 2007
| A |
Pentostatin |
|
| B |
Amphotericin B |
|
| C |
Zidovudine |
|
| D |
Clotrimazole |
Ans. B: Amphotericin B
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus. It causes meningitis, especially as a secondary infection in AIDS patients.
Cryptococcosis that does not affect the central nervous system can be treated with fluconazole alone.
Cryptococcal meningitis should be treated for two weeks with intravenous Amphotericin B and oral flucytosine. Main disadvantage of Amphotericin B includes nephrotoxicity.
September 2009
| A | H.Influenzae | |
| B |
N.meningitidis |
|
| C |
Staph.aureus |
|
| D |
Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Ans. D: Streptococcus pneumoniae
N. meningitidis accounts for nearly 25% of the cases. Staph.aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci are important causes of meningitis that occurs following neurosurgical procedures.
| A |
Histoplasmosis |
|
| B |
Cryptococcus |
|
| C |
Candida albicans |
|
| D |
Coccidioidomycosis |
Ans. B: Cryptococcus
Cryptococcosis is a systemic or central nervous system (CNS) fungal infection caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. The organism is ubiquitous but is particularly plentiful in soils enriched with bird droppings.
In immunocompetent patients, cryptococcal infection is usually asymptomatic, self-limited, and confined to the lungs.
In persons with advanced HIV infection (e.g., those with CD4 cell countCryptococcus can infect almost all organs in the body, but most commonly causes meningitis or meningoencephalitis. ( Kernig’s sign is an indication of meningeal irritation.)
Drug treatment is given for how many days in pneumococcal meningitis
| A |
5 days |
|
| B |
7 days |
|
| C |
14 days |
|
| D |
21 days |
Ans. is ‘c’ i.e., 14 days
Recommendations for duration of treatment
- Pneumococcal meningitis —> 10-14 days
- Meningococcal meningitis 5-7 days
- Hib meningitis —> 7-14 days
- Listeria meningitis —> 21 days
How long should a child be isolated after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis to prevent further transmission?
| A | Till 24 hours after starting antibiotics | |
| B | Till cultures become negative | |
| C |
Till antibiotic course is complete |
|
| D |
Till l2hrs alter admission |
Ans: A. Till 24 hours after starting antibiotics
Ref: Ghai Essentisl Pediatrics, 8’t’ ed,, pg. 565′ https://www.cdc.gov
Prevention of transmission:
- Droplet precautions for the first 24 hours of antimicrobial therapy is sufficient