CentralNervousSystemInfections

Bacterial meningitis is defined as infection of the arachnoid mater, subarachnoid space, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).1 It is among the most common infectious causes of death in the world.  

Acute bacterial meningitis is a significant source of patient morbidity and mortality even when appropriate antibiotic therapy is initiated.  

<p><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">This episode covers an approach to children with altered level of consciousness. &nbsp;We present an approach to the initial management in these cases, with a focus on the ABC and DFG approach. Investigations and imaging are discussed. Some specific causes of altered LOC are covered. &nbsp;This episode was written by Peter MacPherson and Dr. Melanie Lewis. Peter is a medical student at the University of Alberta. Dr. Lewis is a general pediatrician and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta and Stollery Children's Hospital. She is also the Clerkship Director.&nbsp;</span></p <p><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">~~~</span></p <p><!--StartFragment--></p <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></p <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Differential Diagnosis of Altered Level of Consciousness:</span></p <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1) Structural causes: cerebrovascular accident, cerebral vein thrombosis, hydrocephalus, intracerebral tumor, subdural empyema, trauma (intracranial hemorrhage, diffuse cerebral swelling, abusive head trauma/shaken baby syndrome)</span></p <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2) Medical causes: anoxia, diabetic ketoacidosis, electrolyte abnormality, encephalopathy, hypoglycemia, hypothermia or hyperthermia, infection (sepsis), inborn errors of metabolism, intussusception, meningitis or encephalitis, psychogenic, postictal state, toxins, uremia (hemolytic-uremic syndrome)</span></p <div style="border: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;" <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Adapted from: Avner J (2006) Altered states of consciousness. <em>Pediatr Rev</em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 27: 331-338.</span></p </div <p>&nbsp;</p>  

Almost comprehensive spreadsheet on Meningitis  

NHS Direct Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day. You can call us on 0845 46 47 if you are feeling ill and are unsure what to do, or for health information on a wide range of conditions, treatments and local health services.  

Archie Panjabi: My work in the field tells me what a historic moment this is. If we relax our guard, though, polio could rebound with a vengeance  

 

Definitions Meningitis – although this technically only means inflammation of the meninges, it is usually taken to mean infection. Meningitis is far more common in infants and children than in adults.   Causes There are a wide range of causes of meningism; typically: viral, bacterial and endogenous (e.g. malignancy, autoimmune disease, subarachnoid haemorrhage). Prions and protozoa can also cause the disease.  

What of India’s forgotten survivors and the debilitating post-polio syndrome that can return decades later? Neena Bhandari reports  

The World Health Organization has declared the spread of polio a global public health emergency, which, if left unchecked, could derail efforts to eradicate the disease.1  

Pakistan is to immunise travellers against polio by setting up mandatory immunisation points at international airports and border crossings.  

The World Health Organization declares the recent spread of polio an international public health emergency.  

It might seem odd for the spread of polio to be declared an international public health emergency. There have been 68 recorded cases of wild poliovirus so far in 2014. Contrast that with the one million children under five who die from pneumonia each year or the 750,000 who die from diarrhoeal disease.  

Stream BNPA special: Autoimmune encephalitis by BMJ talk medicine from desktop or your mobile device  

Stream The neurology of Sjögren's syndrome and the rheumatology of peripheral neuropathy and myelitis by BMJ talk medicine from desktop or your mobile device  

BBC Monitoring's Vikas Pandey meets India's "polio aunties" to see how they are keeping the country free from the disease.  

Stream BNPA special: Autoimmune encephalitis by BMJ talk medicine from desktop or your mobile device  

Stream The neurology of Sjögren's syndrome and the rheumatology of peripheral neuropathy and myelitis by BMJ talk medicine from desktop or your mobile device  

Teenagers will soon be vaccinated against deadly meningitis W after a steep rise in the number of infections, Public Health England has announced.  

BBC Breakfast spoke to Tracey and Emily Saunders, whose son and brother Edward died after contracting Meningitis W.