HTHSCI 2HH3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Viral Meningitis, Aseptic Meningitis, Meningitis

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HTHSCI 2HH3
• Professor: Dr. Kirsten Culver

Document Summary

*meningitis is a medical emergency that needs to be properly treated. We a(cid:396)e (cid:373)ost i(cid:374)te(cid:396)ested i(cid:374) the (cid:271)(cid:396)ai(cid:374) a(cid:374)d the (cid:373)e(cid:374)i(cid:374)ges . Meningitis is most commonly caused by viruses: can be caused by bacteria and parasites, parasites more in those who travel. Bacterial meningitis is more severe and can lead to death. Viral meningitis has no antiviral medication to attack the pathogen, treatment is more focused on supportive measures. Encephalitis is an infection of the brain. Brain abscesses are different from meningitis: an infection in the brain vs. an infection of the brain. Absence of normal flora (no benefits associated) Very few immune cells; if infection does occur, immune cells come from the periphery. Paucity of local macrophages, antibodies & complement. Inflammation; increases permeability of the blood-brain barrier facilitating pathogen entry & increases bbb permeability to antibiotic therapy and immune cells: higher inflammation associated with bacteria than viruses.