Meningitis

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Meningitis is an infectious disease of the central nervous system that causes inflammation of the meningeal membranes, involving all three layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater.;[1] The arachnoid and pia mater become inflamed and opaque along with the first two layers of the cortex and the spinal cord. Many complications can result from this inflammation such as the increased risk of infarctions leading to blockage of cerebral spinal fluid flow, thromboses in the cortical veins and additional clinical symptoms.[1] Meningitis can present as acute, subacute, or chronic.[2]

Viral (aseptic) and Bacterial meningitis are the most common forms of acute meningitis. Meningitis is usually a result of fungi, viruses, parasites, bacteria, or noninfectious inflammation. Viral meningitis is less severe and symptoms can resolve without treatment. However, bacterial meningitis is a more severe form leading to numerous complications and early treatment is key. If the diagnosis is delayed, this infectious inflammation can be fatal.[2]

Aseptic meningitis refers to a nonpurulent inflammatory process confined to the meninges and choroid plexus, Which is usually caused by contamination of the Cerebrospinal fluid with a viral agent. The enteroviruses (echoviruses and the Coxsackie viruses), herpesvirus, and HIV are the most common causes.[3]

Meningitis can be difficult to diagnose due to its similar presentations to other infectious diseases such as influenza or encephalitis. The risk of developing the disease is highest in the first seven days following onset and can persist for at least four weeks.[4] Progression is very rapid and is distinguished by purulent CSF. Below is a picture of the meninges which are affected by meningitis.

[5]

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

The prevalence of meningitis has greatly decreased over the last fifteen years due to the development of vaccines.[1] The second most common bacteria that cause acute bacterial meningitis, meningococci, is present in the nasopharynx of approximately 5% of the population. Close contact or respiratory droplets may spread the bacteria. Of the population that has the bacteria, only a small fraction develops meningitis and the most prevalent age range is from birth to one year.[2] Individuals are more vulnerable to developing meningitis under the age of five, teenagers in their late teens or older than 65 years of age.

Bacterial meningitis appears more frequently in populations that are in close living quarters such as college dormitories, military barracks, and boarding schools.[2] Although the prevalence of meningitis has decreased, it is believed that many cases go unreported. [6] The incidence of meningitis is 2 of 6 per 10,000 adults per year in developed countries and is up to ten times higher in less-developed coutnries. [7] In Africa, a large recurring epidemic is reported in a region including 26 countries known as the “meningitis belt.” This region stretches east from Ethiopia to the west, Senegal compromising approximately 300 million occupants. [8] In the United States, meningitis incidence has decreased from 0.3 to 0.18 cases per 100,00 population in 2013.[9]

Meningitis Belt.png[10]

Meningococcal-graph-2015.jpg[11]

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Headache, fever, vomiting, and rigidity of the neck are the most common symptoms that present with the onset of meningitis.[1][2][12] Early symptoms include nausea, drowsiness and confusion. Pain in the posterior thigh or lumbar region may also be noted.[1] Later symptoms can include seizures, photophobia and rapid breathing rate. In addition, a rash on the skin, scanty petechial (red or purple non-blanching macules smaller than 2mm in diameter) or a purpuric (larger than 2mm) appears on approximately 80-90% of individuals with bacterial meningitis.[12] [13] [14]

Meningitis causes inflammation of the meningeal membranes; as a result nerve roots may endure tension as they pass through these inflamed membranes. Passive ROM of the neck into flexion will gradually become painful and limited. Also, neck extension and rotation may be painful as well, however not to the extent of flexion. In severe cases, Brudzinki’s sign, or Kernig’s may be presented.

Brudzinki’s sign is caused by passive neck flexion producing flexion of the hips or knees. Kernig’s sign presents, as restrictive passive extension of the knee while the hip is flexed.[15] In cases when meningitis is not treated immediately (especially bacterial meningitis), the parenchyma within the brain may be involved. As a result individuals may present with lethargy, vomiting, seizures, papilledema, confusion, coma, focal deficits, and cranial nerve palsies.

Brudzinski's Sign[16]Image:Kernig's_sign.jpg [17]

[18]

Meningitis-symptoms2.jpg

[19]

Associated Co-morbidities[edit | edit source]

Predisposing conditions of meningitis include sinusitis, mastoiditis, and otitis. These conditions may require specialized treatment.[1] Damage or removal of the spleen increases the risk of pneumococcal disease which may lead to acute bacterial meningitis. Conditions in which an individual's immune system may become compromised increase the risk and severity of meningitis, such as HIV.[1][2] Other conditions that may predispose one for meningitis include alcoholism, prior neurosurgery, cancer, head trauma, para-meningeal infection, and anatomical defects of the meninges.[12]

Medications[edit | edit source]

A quick introduction of antibiotics is crucial when acute meningitis is suspected to prevent progression of the disease and increase the chance of recovery.[1] Delay of antibiotic administration is associated with poor outcomes.[9] If a patient presents with the cardinal signs and symptoms of meningitis antibiotics are immediately started after blood cultures are drawn. If the patient is not severely ill and the diagnosis of meningitis is questionable, the introduction of antibiotics is held until results from CSF stains are determined.[2] Once CSF gram stains are determined targeted antimicrobial treatment may begin. Duration of antimicrobial treatment is determined by CSF sterilization.[1] Organism specific antibiotics used to treat acute bacterial meningitis may be found in Table 1. The table lists the common organisms that result in acute meningitis along with the age-appropriate antibiotics.[2]

Table 1: Common antibiotics used to treat specific acute bacterial meningitis. Adapted from The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy 19th edition.[2]

Organism Age Group Antibiotic
Unknown Infants less than 1 month Ampicillin Cefotaxime Gentamicin
Unknown Children over 1 month of age and Adults Ampicillin Cefotaxime Vancomycin
Gram-positive organisms (unidentified) Children and Adults Vancomycin + Cefotaxime & Ampicillin
Gram-negative bacilli (unidentified) Children and Adults Cefotaxime + Gentamicin
Haemophilus influenza type b Children and Adults Cefotaxime
Meningococci Children and Adults Penicillin G + Cefotaxime
Streptococcus Pneumoniae Children and Adults Vancomycin + Cefotaxime
Listeria sp Children and Adults Ampicillin or Trimethoprim
Enteric gram-negative bacteria(Escherichia coli, Proteus sp, Klebsiella sp) Children and Adults Cefotaxime + Gentamicin
Pseudomonas Children and Adults

Meropenem *These may be used with the addition of aminoglycoside

Aztreonam

Staphylococcus Aureus Children and Adults Vancomycin or Nafcillin *May be prescribed with or without rifampin

Outpatient Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) is an additional option for the different managements of infection including meningitis. This allows cost-saving benefits for the patient to be treated in their own home. The patient is appropriate for OPAT, with the following indications[6]:

  • Afebrile and clinically improving
  • Received ≥ 5 days of inpatient therapy and monitoring
  • Reliable intravenous access
  • Able to access medical advise/care from the OPAT team
  • No other acute medical needs

In addition to antibiotics, medications to control and relieve the symptoms of meningitis are introduced as well. Alterations of CSF flow may be controlled using corticosteroids for patients with pneumococcal meningitis. Dexamethasone is suspected to be linked to reducing mortality and morbidity, hearing loss and short term neurological sequelae.[6] Additional symptoms, nausea and headache, are controlled using the proper medications.[1]

Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values[edit | edit source]

The gold standard for diagnosing viral and bacterial meningitis is a CSF culture.[20][6] CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture is used to culture cells, glucose level, protein, cell count and differential, and to begin a Gram stain. The viruses that cause meningitis are easily determined by analysis of cell protein and glucose in the CSF.[6] Gram stains are positive 80% of the time in bacterial meningitis and are 97-100% diagnostically accurate.[6] Lumbar punctures are performed immediately in patients with suspected meningitis to diagnose and identify the causative organism. Once the organism is identified antimicrobial pharmacotherapy may begin immediately. CSF sterilization can occur within the first 2-4 hours of administration of antibiotics. [20][2][6] If the patient presents with hemodynamic instability, increased cranial pressure, coagulopathy, or neurologic findings indicate a mass lesion lumbar puncture is contraindicated.[6]

While CSF culture is the gold standard, other diagnostic tests and lab tests are performed when meningitis is suspected. In situations when the patient presents with papilledema, seizures, focal deficits, or deterioration in consciousness an MRI or CT scan are performed to rule out a brain abscess or infarction. A brain abscess or infarction must be ruled out prior to the lumbar puncture to the risk of cerebral herniation. A combination of laboratory tests may be needed in addition to the lumbar puncture when the gram culture and stains are negative. In a case of positive blood culture, increase procalcitonin levels are present in bacterial meningitis differentiating it from viral meningitis.[6][9] Further lab tests are needed to examine blood cultures, a complete blood count, electrolytes, glucose, protein as well as close monitoring of pressure. [20][2][6]

Causes[edit | edit source]

Neonates receive antibodies via placenta for bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and group B streptococcus. With age, these antibodies decline resulting in increased susceptibility especially in ages 1 to 2 for meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Geriatric and the adult population are more affected by Neisseria meningitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococci infections are especially common in adults who suffer from alcoholism, CSF leaks, chronic otitis, mastoiditis, sinusitis, sickle cell anemia, pneumococcal pneumonia, and asplenia. These organisms are most commonly found in the upper respiratory tract in the mucosal layers.[2][7]

Aseptic meningitis is most commonly a result of a viral infection. Enteroviruses (echovirus and coxsackievirus) and herpes simplex virus are the most common viruses representing 40% of the cases of meningitis in individuals 30-60 years old and 20% of all individuals with meningitis, respectively. Individuals in late adolescence and early adulthood who develop meningitis usually came in contact with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Other causes of viral meningitis include intracranial tumor rupture, mumps, systemic lupus erythematosus, radiopaque agents, lead poisoning, intrathecal drug use, and NSAIDs especially as a result of exposure during surgery.[2][7]

Bacterial meningitis is transmitted person to person through droplets of respiratory such as coughing or sneezing or throat secretions from carriers. Usually transmitted through close or prolonged contact. Average incubation is 4 days but can range between 2-10 days.[9] Below are two tables that list the causes of bacterial meningitis by age and associated risk factors. [9]

Meningitis Age Causes.jpg
Risk Factors For Meningitis
Neonate Older Children
Low birth weight (<2500 g) Absent or underimmunization
Prematurity (<37 wk gestation) Daycare exposure (increased 1st 2 mo; declines after 6 mo)
Premature rupture of membranes

Age <2 yo

Fetal Hypoxia Functional or surgical absence of spleen
Traumatic delivery Immunosuppressed (eg, HIV, malignancy, complement deficiency, chronic steroid use)
Urinary tract abnormalities Chronic kidney disease
Maternal GBS infection Chronic liver disease
Diabetes mellitus
Galactosemia Cochlear implant
CSF leak
Head trauma
Travel to areas with endemc meningitis
Live with large group in confined space (dorms, military recruits)

Systemic Involvement[edit | edit source]

Nervous[edit | edit source]

  • Inflammation of subarachnoid space
  • Spread of inflammation to parenchyma
  • Focal ischemic lesions
  • Hydrocephaly
  • Impaired consciousness
  • Stages include irritability, confusion, drowsiness, stupor, and coma
  • Hemiparesis
  • Seizures
  • Cranial nerve palsy
  • Hypothalamic dysfunction in children

Vascular[edit | edit source]

  • Inflammation of small subarachnoid vessels (especially veins)
  • Thrombotic obstruction of vessels

Musculoskeletal[edit | edit source]

  • Opisthotonic posture
  • Infectious spread to joints

Sensory[edit | edit source]

  • Impaired hearing
  • Loss of vision

Metabolic[edit | edit source]

  • Dehydration
  • Hyponatremia

Gastrointestinal[edit | edit source]

  • Vomiting

Integumentary[edit | edit source]

  • Petechial rash of skin (usually associated with bacterial meningitis)

[20][2][12]

Medical Management[edit | edit source]

In children and infants treatment usually consist of six or more days of inpatient antimicrobial therapy followed by close follow-up outpatient management. Duration of inpatient treatment is dependant upon absence of fever for at least 24 to 48 hours, no focal findings, ability to take fluids by mouth, no seizure activity, no significant neurologic dysfunction, and improvement or stabilization of condition.[1]

Currently there are vaccines available that are highly effective and safe for some serogroups of N. meningitides, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and many types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is recommended that the meningococcal conjugate vaccine be given between the ages of 11-18 due to the increased prevalence during adolescence. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggests the vaccines be given as soon as possible. The ACIP highly recommends that prior to living in dormitories college freshmen should be vaccinated.[21]

The vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae is known as pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and is recommended for individuals between the ages 19-64 with asthma or who smoke and individuals older than 65 and at least 2 years of age with certain medical problems. Another form of the vaccine to prevent infection of pneumococcal is approved and routinely given to children younger than the age of 2.[21]

Meningococcal Vacccine.png[22]

Physical Therapy Management[edit | edit source]

According to the American Physical Therapy Association's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice infectious disorders of the central nervous system fall under the following preferred practice patterns; 5D: Impaired Motor Function and Sensory Integrity Associated with Nonprogressive Disorders of the Central Nervous System- Acquired in Adulthood or Adolescence and 5I: Impaired Arousal, Range of Motion, and Motor Control Associated with Coma, Near Coma, or Vegetative State.

Typically physical therapy treatment is initiated in the intensive care unit. While initiating a plan of care, it is crucial to keep in mind a patient’s chart information or contraindications to therapy such as intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and other lab values that determine rehabilitation guidelines. Meningitis may present with similar symptoms to brain injuries, neurological complications, immunological deficiency, vascular compromise, and additional secondary impairments.

Additionally understanding the various stages of consciousness or behavioural changes a patient with secondary complications may go through can guide the approach to treatment. The therapist should create an environment that would ease the patient’s hypersensitivity to sensory input such as light or sound thus creating a structured environment to eliminate behavioural outbursts. Close monitoring of the vital signs will allow the therapist to gauge the patient's receptiveness to therapy. The therapist should be familiar with the Glasgow Coma Scale and monitor the patient’s progression through the levels of consciousness.

Proper positioning and range of motion exercise should be initiated as soon as safely possible in the acute phase. Proper positioning with pillows and towels will protect the skin integrity and prevention of contractures. Maintaining mobility of the trunk and neck are important to sustain functional mobility. The earlier therapy is initiated with a patient, the chances of secondary impairments are decreased allowing for a better prognosis.

A primary key component to treating a patient recovering from bacterial meningitis is proper education not only to the patient, but to the family and caregivers as well. Providing the patient and family with education on the disease, stages of the disease, secondary complications, warning signs and resources can encourage the patient and family to become more involved in the treatment. It is very important to educate on the effects from different systemic involvement and how the timeline of recovery may vary.[1]

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • Confusion/dementia
  • Cervical arthritis (stiff neck)
  • Subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • Pneumonia
  • Otitis media
  • Pharyngitis
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Upper Respiratory Infection
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess
  • Brain/Subdural/Epidural Abscess
  • Encephalitis

[2][20][12]

Case Reports[edit | edit source]

1. Case presentation of a 70-year-old male who presented with increasing memory disorders and a 7-month history of left buttock pain, right transient temporal head pain, and right conjuctival injection who was later diagnosed with enteroviral meningoencephalitis: A Case of Enteroviral Meningoencephalitis Presenting as Rapidly Progressive Dementia.[23]

2. A 46-year-old male presented to ER with 7-week history of headache, fatigue, and nausea as well as altered mental status over the last 2 days. Past medical history reveled an otherwise healthy individual. Cryptococcal meningitis was diagnosed. Not Your “Typical Patient”: Cryptococcal Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Patient.[24]

3. Oitis noted as comorbitity for meningitis. Case report following a 77-year-old man who was admitted into the hospital for difficulty speaking, ear pain, fever, and altered mental status proceeding fall several days earlier. Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis given. Case 34-2007; A 77-Year_old Man with Ear Pain, Difficulty Speaking, and Altered Mental Status.[25]

Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1. Goodman C, Fuller K. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, 2009.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Porter RS, Kaplan JL. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2011.
  3. Roos KL. Viral meningitis and aseptic meningitis. In: Roos KL, ed. Central Nervous System Infectious Diseases and Therapy. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 1997.
  4. Paul N, Bowe C, Morrow G. Bacterial Meningitis. WIN. 2016;24(8):47-49.
  5. Armando Hasudungan (Bacterial) Meningitis Pathophysiology. Available fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQC6L8M6XfU&feature=emb_logo
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 McGill F, Heyderman R, Michael B, Defres S, Beeching N, Borrow R et al. The UK joint specialist societies guideline on the diagnosis and management of acute meningitis and meningococcal sepsis in immunocompetent adults. Journal of Infection [Internet]. 2016 [cited 6 March 2017];72(4):405-438. Available from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.bellarmine.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=11&sid=f38a50a1-dce1-4c95-8af1-4b603ccaee02%40sessionmgr102&hid=104&bdata=JmxvZ2luLmFzcCZzaXRlPWVob3N0LWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=27085199&db=cmedm
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Goodman CC, Fuller KS. Pathology: implications for the physical therapist. 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2015.
  8. Medecins Sans Frontieres: Doctors Without Borders. Meningitis. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/issue.cfm?id=2398 (accessed 6 April 2010).
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Bass III P. Deciphering Bacterial Meningitis. Contemporary Pediatrics. 2016;:14-20.
  10. Meningitis Belt [Internet]. 2017 [cited 5 March 2017]. Available from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/meningococcal-disease
  11. Meningococcal Graph [Internet]. 2017 [cited 5 March 2017]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/surveillance/
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Aminoff M, Greenberg D, Simon R. Clinical Neurology. 6th ed. New York, NY: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, 2005.
  13. Paul N, Bowe C, Morrow G. Bacterial Meningitis. WIN. 2016;24(8):47-49.
  14. Watkins J. Recognising the signs and symptoms of meningitis. British Journal of School Nursing. 2012;7(10):481-483.
  15. Meningitis control in countries of the African meningitis belt, 2015. World Health Organization [Internet]. 2015 [cited 9 March 2017];16:209-216. Available from:http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.bellarmine.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f38a50a1-dce1-4c95-8af1-4b603ccaee02%40sessionmgr102&vid=9&hid=104
  16. Neisseri Meningitidis. Brudzinski’s sign. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/bingen_sama/neck.jpg (accessed 6 April 2010)
  17. National Library of Medicine. Kernig’s sign. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/images/ency/fullsize/19077.jpg (accessed 6 April 2010)
  18. Meningitis Tests [Internet]. 2017 [cited 11 April 2017]. Available from: https://youtu.be/gHhwl6on5sQ
  19. Meningitis Symptoms [Internet]. Meningitis Symptoms. [cited 2017Apr5]. Available from: https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-conditions/meningitis.html
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Goodman CC, Fuller KS. Pathology: implications for the physical therapist. 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2015.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningitis Question and Answer. http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html (accessed 6 April 2010)
  22. Dr. Miller. Study Guide for Medical Bacteriology. Lecture presented at; 2017 Apr 2.
  23. Valcour V, Haman A, Cornes S, Lawall C, Parsa A, Glaser C, et al. A case of enteroviral meningoencephalitis presenting as rapidly progressive dementia. Nature Clinical Practice. Neurology [serial on the Internet]. (2008, July), [cited April 8, 2010]; 4(7): 399-403. Available from: MEDLINE.
  24. Thompson H. Not your "typical patient": cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent patient. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing [serial on the Internet]. (2005, June), [cited April 8, 2010]; 37(3): 144-148. Available from: CINAHL with Full Text.
  25. Samuels M, Gonzalez R, Kim A, Stemmer-Rachamimov A. Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 34-2007. A 77-year-old man with ear pain, difficulty speaking, and altered mental status. The New England Journal Of Medicine [serial on the Internet]. (2007, Nov 8), [cited April 8, 2010]; 357(19): 1957-1965. Available from: MEDLINE.