Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
10:03
Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
Meningitis.
Katherine Putz1, Karen Hayani, Fred Arthur Zar
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 West Taylor Street MC 663, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. kasiaputz@gmail.com
Primary Care
|August 21, 2013
Summary
Meningitis involves inflammation of the meninges, often indicated by abnormal white blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid. This review covers acute meningitis, focusing on its epidemiology, diagnosis, and management for primary care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges.
- It presents with specific clinical signs and cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities.
- Acute meningitis develops rapidly over hours to days.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of acute meningitis.
- To discuss the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis.
- To outline management strategies and provide key points for primary care practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of acute meningitis.
- Separate discussion of aseptic and bacterial meningitis.
- Identification of key points for primary care.
Main Results:
- Acute meningitis symptoms develop rapidly.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical signs and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
- Management strategies differ for aseptic and bacterial meningitis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the epidemiology and pathophysiology is crucial for timely diagnosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for patient outcomes.
- Primary care practitioners play a vital role in managing acute meningitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...